Southeast Missouri State baseball team finishes off IPFW with 6-4 win

The Southeast Missouri State baseball team completed a sweep of Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne in the final game of a three-game series Sunday at Capaha Park.

The Redhawks (6-2) scored six runs on 10 hits to defeat the Mastodons 6-4. In its last two games, Southeast has scored eight two-out runs with runners in scoring position, a stat coach Steve Bieser said is key to his team's success this season.

"They're up-coached very well in that respect," Bieser said. "Our hitting coach, Dillon Lawson, does a great job of preparing these guys for different scenarios, whether it's a two-strike approach or an RBI situation, and as long as they stick to that approach and see it through the entire at-bat and inning, we're going to have some success there."

Southeast's clutch two-out hitting was needed in the fourth inning as the Redhawks had to make a comeback for the second time in the three-game series. Southeast trailed 2-1 when Scott Mitchell reached base on an error on a ground ball to the left side of the infield. Andy Lack followed Mitchell and blooped a ball that landed between the first baseman and right fielder. Mitchell aggessively went for third and was ruled safe on a call that was contested by IPFW coach Bobby Pierce. Clayton Evans then doubled to right-center field, scoring Mitchell and Lack for a 3-2 Redhawks lead.

Evans later scored on a single by Jason Blum for a 4-2 advantage.

Southeast Missouri State second baseman Jason Blum forces out IPFW’s Carter DeBoe and throws to first to complete a double play during the first inning Sunday at Capaha Field. Southeast won 6-4. (Fred Lynch)

IPFW pulled even with two runs in the top of the fifth, knocking out Southeast starter Ryan Lenaburg in the process.

Southeast retaliated in the bottom of the inning when Andy Lennington drove in the game-winning run for a second straight day. Lennington's single to right field scored Derek Gibson from second base, who had walked in the previous at-bat and moved up on a wild pitch. Lennington then stole second and scored on a single by Dalton Hewitt for a 6-4 lead.

"There were a lot of guys who did big things on our team today," Lennington said. "I came through in a situation where we had runners in scoring position, got a pitch I could handle and was able to put it down into right field. Our guys continued to hit well after that and it was a big inning for us."

The Redhawks stole second base three times in the inning. They have 12 stolen bases in 15 attempts through their first eight games.

Lenaburg gave up four runs -- two earned -- on three hits and six walks over four-plus innings. He pitched out of a jam in the first inning after giving up one run. With runners at first and third and one out, Lenaburg got IPFW's Kevin Wirth to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Southeast Missouri State second baseman Jason Blum throws to first base after catching a fly ball by IPFW during the first inning Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

"He's got plus stuff and has the capability of pitching out of jams," Bieser said. "He also has the ability not to get into those jams. I've got confidence that we'll start seeing Ryan control the strike zone and the tempo of the game as we get further along in the season and he gets some more starts."

Southeast's bullpen was flawless again after giving up its first runs of the season in Saturday's game.

Hayes (1-0) relieved Lenaburg in the fifth and pitched one inning for his first win of the season. He allowed two inherited runners to score on two hits and struck out one.

Skylar Cobb, Brady Wright and Garret Stockton worked the final four innings in scoreless fashion. Cobb allowed two hits over two innings, while Wright and Stockton both pitched scoreless innings. Stockton was credited with his fourth save.

"The one thing I've seen and like most about this group is that they're all unselfish," Bieser said. "They're ready when they're number is called, and ready to turn the ball over and let the next guy do their job. I think that's boding well for our bullpen."

Redhawks baseball fans watch Southeast Missouri State play Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne on Sunday at Capaha Field. Temperatures reached the low 40s with partly cloudy skies.

The Redhawks now face a four-game road trip starting Tuesday when they play Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark. Next weekend Southeast plays another three-game series at Memphis.