Error costs Southeast baseball team in 6-4 loss

The Southeast Missouri State University baseball team lost to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne after allowing six runs in the 7th inning Saturday afternoon.

The Redhawks led 1-0 after six innings, but IPFW would gain the lead with help from first baseman Shane Trevino in the top of the seventh inning. IPFW won 6-4.

"It was kind of like two different ball games the way the first six innings went compared to the end," coach Mark Hogan said.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Trevino hit the ball to right field toward outfielder Cody Spanberger. Trevino's hit would have only scored one run, but Spanberger allowed the ball to roll past him which caused three runs to score, and Trevino ended at third base. The single plus the error gave IPFW a 3-1 lead.

"Our defense was good except for my error," Spanberger said. "I just pulled my glove up a little early and it rolled right past me."

Things got worse for the Redhawks after pitcher Trevor Kill balked, which allowed Trevino score and put his team up 4-1. The Mastodons went on to score two more runs and make the score 6-1 by the end of the seventh inning.

"It's tough when you have a nail biter going, pitchers throwing lights out and all of the sudden they get six in one inning," Hogan said. "It turned the game around."

In the bottom of the inning the Redhawks tried to close the gap after base hits from Spanberger and Derek Gibson were followed by a homerun from Jason Blum, which brought the score to 6-4.

"Blum had a huge day for us," Hogan said. "It was wonderful to see."

Gibson, who came to Southeast to play football had his first start as a Redhawk baseball player Saturday afternoon and got his first career hit.

"It feels good because that first one is always the toughest one so you want to get it out of the way" Gibson said.

Even with the homerun from Blum, the Redhawks were not able to complete the comeback as both teams were scoreless for the last two innings which resulted in a 6-4 victory for IPFW.

"We're a battling ballclub but we have to learn to close ball games out," Hogan said.

According to Hogan, senior catcher Jesse Tierney who tore his fingernail Saturday afternoon and may miss the tomorrow's game.

"It's a three game series and it's really important for us to come back down and take care of business," Hogan said. "Anytime you can win a series, you're probably going to be in good shape and where you want to be at the end of the year."

The Redhawks are now 2-4 on the season and play IPFW again at 1p.m. tomorrow at Capaha Park.