SEMO baseball picked to win OVC, seeks defense of conference championship

Baseball season is fast approaching, and the reigning OVC champs will attempt to make a statement when they face #22 Dallas Baptist Feb. 18 in Dallas. The Redhawks went 30-22 last season and are the preseason favorites to win the Ohio Valley Conference.

Southeast coach Andy Sawyers said he feels confident heading into this season.

“We have people back with a lot of experience, a championship DNA team and a veteran squad, so I'm feeling pretty good about starting the season in Dallas,” Sawyers said.

Coach Sawyers’ confidence comes from the bond his team has shared this offseason.

“I admire the camaraderie and togetherness — it's clear that they genuinely like and care for one another, as well as their commitment to one another,” Sawyers said.

Senior Tyler Wilber, one of the top shortstops in the conference, is back for the Redhawks. Wilber posted a team best .378 batting average last season. Wilber said his main focus is chipping in offensively by any means possible.

“Hopefully, I can help the team offensively however I can, whether that's getting a hit or a walk or doing something to benefit the offense,” Wilber said. “I’m just a piece of a much bigger unit, and hopefully, I can help us be productive in whatever way I can.”

Wilber said the ultimate goal is to win a regional, as the Redhawks fell short of that goal in Oxford, Miss., last season.

“I think the ultimate goal of the team is to get back to a regional and win that regional,” Wilber said. “We have a great group of leaders on our team who do a great job getting some of the new or younger guys focused on that goal. I think that group of leaders all have a role, and for me, that role is just doing whatever I can to help the team and use the experience I have to add to that leadership group.”

Wilber said he has no doubt his team can get the job done.

“I expect this team to be very good,” Wilber said. “I think we have all the pieces to repeat in the OVC and get back to regional.”

Senior pitcher Austin Williams will also be returning for the Redhawks and is looking to do great things this year.

“My expectations for this year is to compete at the highest level with the best teams and compete for a championship once again with a team full of experience and watch everyone continue to get better,” Williams said.

Williams said his goals for the season are to do whatever is necessary for the club to pick up a win.

“My goals are currently to just do my best a game at a time and do what the team needs me to do,” Williams said. “With the way the season went last year, I wanted a bigger role, and I hope to step into that role with the same mindset and intensity as I did last year.”

The team will begin their 54-game season with a three-game series against #22 Dallas Baptist starting Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m.