Redhawks will play doubleheader today to avoid bad weather

~ Southeast has pushed up its three-game weekend series against Valparaiso

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team finally got back to the .500 mark with Tuesday's 13-1 rout of NAIA Freed-Hardeman.

Now the Redhawks will try to climb above the break-even point when they continue their 10-game homestand against Valparaiso.

Southeast (8-8) and Valparaiso (5-12) will have a three-game series beginning with today's 1 p.m. doubleheader and concluding with Saturday's 1 p.m. contest.

The series was originally scheduled to feature single games today, Saturday and Sunday, but it has been adjusted due to the chance of rain Saturday and Sunday.

The Redhawks have won four of five halfway through the homestand. They are 7-1 at Capaha Field this season.

"I like the way we've been playing, and I like this ballclub," said Southeast coach Mark Hogan, whose squad has 19 newcomers on its 35-man roster.

Hogan expects a strong challenge from Valparaiso even though the Crusaders' record is not impressive.

Last year the Crusaders went 28-24 for their first winning season since 1999. Their 12-11 Horizon League mark was their first winning conference record since 2001.

"They're one of those northern teams that hasn't played a home game yet," Hogan said. "They come out of a good league, and I expect them to be a good ballclub."

Valparaiso is coached by former major-leaguer Tracy Woodson, who played for the Cardinals in 1992 and 1993. He was a member of the 1988 Dodgers' team that won the World Series.

The Crusaders are batting .273, led by junior Ryan O'Gara at .400.

Valparaiso has a 6.64 team ERA but feature two top-flight starters who are scheduled to pitch today.

Junior left-hander Jon Gulbransen is 1-1 with a 2.01 ERA. In 31 1/3 innings, he has allowed 28 hits while striking out 33 and walking seven.

Junior right-hander Bryce Shafer is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA. He has allowed only 24 hits in 29 innings, with 27 strikeouts and 21 walks.

Southeast has a .328 batting average, led by junior college transfers Casey Jones (.488) and Tim Rupp (386). Junior Blake Slattery (.378) from Central High School is close behind.

The Redhawks have a 5.02 ERA. Top starters have been juco transfer left-hander Logan Mahon (2-0, 3.13) and senior right-hander Kyle Gumieny (2-0, 3.28).

Gumieny is slated to start today's nine-inning opener, followed by Mahon in the seven-inning nightcap and juco transfer lefty Jordan Underwood (0-3, 3.86) in Saturday's nine-inning series finale.

Softball opens OVC play

The Southeast softball team, rocked by a season-ending injury to pitching ace Giana Zimmerman before the campaign even started, begins Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend.

Southeast (9-12) welcomes Morehead State (7-10) to town for a three-game series. There will be a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 1 p.m.contest Sunday.

Zimmerman helped Southeast finish second in the OVC's regular season and reach the finals of the conference tournament last year as a freshman. She is out with a shoulder injury.

Southeast is led offensively by junior Nicole Troncoso with a .382 average. Sophomore Renee Kertz has a team-high 15 RBIs.

The Redhawks were picked third in the OVC preseason poll, with Morehead State fifth.

Southeast is coming off Wednesday's doubleheader split at Indiana State. The Redhawks won the opener 5-3 in eight innings before losing 4-2.

Sophomore Shelby Stein had three hits, including her first collegiate home run and a double, in the first game. Stefanie Barnes pitched all eight innings for the victory.

Troncoso had two hits in the nightcap. Whitney Dupuis took the loss.

Final home meet

The Southeast gymnastics squad has its final home meet at 7 p.m. today when Iowa visits Houck FIeld House.

Six Southeast athletes will be recognized on senior night, led by four-year standout Rikara Turner, the 2009 Midwest Independent Conference gymnast of the year and the 2007 MIC newcomer of the year.

Turner has 16 career all-around titles, including five this season despite being limited in recent weeks by an ankle injury.

Other seniors are Amber Garlotte, Jacqueline Heath, Kelley Krengiel, Jena Nguyen and Bryanna Wong.

Southeast is ranked 37th nationally, with the top 36 qualifying for NCAA regionals. Iowa is 28th.