Southeast Missouri State baseball team concludes 10-game homestand vs. SLU

~ The Southeast baseball team looks to rebound from a weekend sweep

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team concludes its longest homestand of the season today when Saint Louis University visits Capaha Field for a 4 p.m. first pitch.

Southeast was scheduled to play 11 games during the homestand but had one contest rained out. Southeast coach Mark Hogan will take it. He figures that's a pretty good rate considering the unpredictable Midwest weather this time of the year.

"We're still trying to get a look at some guys, and we're still trying to sort our pitching out," Hogan said. "The biggest thing this team needs is to play games, and I'm happy we've been able to get on the field so much."

Hogan isn't happy that the inexperienced Redhawks carry a three-game losing streak into today's contest, although the three setbacks came against a strong Illinois State squad over the weekend.

"We're a work in progress," Hogan said. "You've got to remember how many new players we have."

Southeast (5-7) is 5-4 on the homestand. SLU enters at 7-5.

The Redhawks and Billikens, who went 29-26 and finished 10th in the 13-team Atlantic 10 Conference last year, will complete their annual season series May 1 in St. Louis.

The squads split their two games last year. SLU won 14-8 in Cape Girardeau, and Southeast prevailed 6-4 in St. Louis.

"They do a good job with their program, and it's always a spirited rivalry," Hogan said. "We generally have good games with them."

SLU is batting .289 and averaging 5.6 runs per game. The Bills have a solid .967 fielding percentage and an impressive 3.67 ERA.

Southeast is hitting a solid .303 and averaging 7.5 runs per game. The Redhawks have a respectable .959 fielding percentage but have struggled to a 6.06 ERA.

Control has been an issue for Southeast's new-look pitching staff that returned just three hurlers and no starters from last year.

The Redhawks have issued 80 walks over 101 innings.

"That's been a problem so far, but hopefully we can get that straightened out," Hogan said.

Southeast plays six of its next eight contests on the road after today. The Redhawks will play at defending Horizon League regular-season and tournament champion Wright State to open a three-game series Friday.