Back-to-back OVC champion Redhawks baseball playing for history in 2023

Did someone say three-peat? The Southeast Missouri State baseball team is coming off back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Tournament wins and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) appearances. This year, they have the chance to make history by winning three straight OVC Tournament titles, a feat that has only been accomplished three times.

Senior outfielders Jevon Mason and Brett Graber as well as junior pitcher Kyle Miller were selected as Preseason All-OVC Team members. They highlight a seasoned team which includes returning players such as junior utility players Ty Stauss and Peyton Leeper, junior infielder Ben Palmer and senior pitcher Noah Niznik.

“It’s a great honor, but it’s preseason. We got to make sure we show up throughout the season,” Mason said.

The Redhawks will have to find a way to replace lost talent. 2022 All-OVC First Team shortstop Tyler Wilber and All-OVC Second Team catcher Andrew Keck were essential to the team’s success last year and have left a hole in their departure.

“Those guys are big pieces that fill a role that’s really hard to fill at this level,” Miller said. “I think we’re gonna fill it with our depth. We have a lot of guys and a lot of them will be playing new roles to fill in for them.”

The team was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the OVC in a vote by coaches and communications directors according to OVC.com. Winning the past two tournaments and being picked as the favorite this year means the Redhawks will be playing against every team’s best lineups.

“I think for us to be able to navigate getting every team’s best shot and the expectations of the people in our league have for us is going to come from the locker room,” head coach Andy Sawyers said. “How badly they want it and what they want their legacy to be for the guys who have been here three or four years is gonna come from them more than me.”

The Redhawks look to become the first baseball team to win three straight OVC Tournament Championships in SEMO history. With most of last year’s starters returning and added depth from new teammates, they know they can make a run for it.

“It’s everything I wanted when I came back here. Three is a big deal. Two is definitely something we wanted to do, but if we get three that’s gonna be in the history books forever,” Mason said.

The Redhawks will start their season this weekend on the road at Central Arkansas. Their nonconference schedule includes trips to Power Five schools, the University of Arkansas and Kansas State University.

Their first home game is March 3 when they host the Evansville Aces. The team will open conference play on March 24 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. They will also host new OVC members including Lindenwood and the University of Arkansas Little Rock.

Did someone say three-peat? The Southeast Missouri State baseball team is coming off back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Tournament wins and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) appearances. This year, they have the chance to make history by winning three straight OVC Tournament titles, a feat that has only been accomplished three times.

Senior outfielders Jevon Mason and Brett Graber as well as junior pitcher Kyle Miller were selected as Preseason All-OVC Team members. They highlight a seasoned team which includes returning players such as junior utility players Ty Stauss and Peyton Leeper, junior infielder Ben Palmer and senior pitcher Noah Niznik.

“It’s a great honor, but it’s preseason. We got to make sure we show up throughout the season,” Mason said.

The Redhawks will have to find a way to replace lost talent. 2022 All-OVC First Team shortstop Tyler Wilber and All-OVC Second Team catcher Andrew Keck were essential to the team’s success last year and have left a hole in their departure.

“Those guys are big pieces that fill a role that’s really hard to fill at this level,” Miller said. “I think we’re gonna fill it with our depth. We have a lot of guys and a lot of them will be playing new roles to fill in for them.”

The team was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the OVC in a vote by coaches and communications directors according to OVC.com. Winning the past two tournaments and being picked as the favorite this year means the Redhawks will be playing against every team’s best lineups.

“I think for us to be able to navigate getting every team’s best shot and the expectations of the people in our league have for us is going to come from the locker room,” head coach Andy Sawyers said. “How badly they want it and what they want their legacy to be for the guys who have been here three or four years is gonna come from them more than me.”

The Redhawks look to become the first baseball team to win three straight OVC Tournament Championships in SEMO history. With most of last year’s starters returning and added depth from new teammates, they know they can make a run for it.

“It’s everything I wanted when I came back here. Three is a big deal. Two is definitely something we wanted to do, but if we get three that’s gonna be in the history books forever,” Mason said.

The Redhawks will start their season this weekend on the road at Central Arkansas. Their nonconference schedule includes trips to Power Five schools, the University of Arkansas and Kansas State University.

Their first home game is March 3 when they host the Evansville Aces. The team will open conference play on March 24 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. They will also host new OVC members including Lindenwood and the University of Arkansas Little Rock.