Weather impacts Southeast baseball

The snow has wreaked havoc on Southeast Missouri State University in more ways than one. It shut down classes on campus for two days and has caused changes in the Southeast baseball schedule.

"We are stuck indoors because of the weather," coach Steve Bieser said. "We have been locked inside the last week or so using batting cages and gym floors. It's really hard to get in real baseball activity in weather like this."

Not only have the Redhawks had trouble getting on the field for practice in the snow, but the weather also has affected the team's game schedule.

Most recently, the Redhawks a game against Arkansas State that was scheduled for Feb. 24 was cancelled due to poor field conditions in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The team also had two series change venues, a series against Bradley scheduled for Feb. 27-28 was moved to New Orleans after being slated as a home series, and a home series against Illinois State was changed to be played on the campus of Mcneese State on Feb. 20-21.

"Anytime a team is scheduled at home, and you quickly have to find an adjustment in travel, it makes it difficult for a team's preparation and a team's mindset because you are scheduled to play at home," Bieser said. "You are trying to schedule your classes so you can get all your work done and then an 11-hour bus trip gets thrown on you and then you try to play around the games that were already scheduled there. I think that had an impact on how we performed that weekend."

Southeast dropped the three games of the series against Illinois State 3-7, 3-8 and 5-6 to bring its overall record to 3-4 on the season. But with only seven games into the season, Bieser does not feel this will have a lasting effect on the team over the rest of the season.

"I think our guys are able to adjust, it could affect [the team] if we don't have downtime and time to rest," Bieser said. "But this early in the season, we are well rested, and we want to play."

Although Cape Girardeau was covered in ice and snow and the team was unable to play at Capaha Field, senior third baseman Andy Lennington felt right at home against Illinois State. He went 6 for 11 (.545) at the plate during the weekend series with two doubles and two stolen bases. In game two of the series, he went 3 for 4 including a home run, which was his second of the week. The success earned Lennington recognition as the conference named him with Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week.

"This is a very resilient team. We are still going about our business." senior catcher Alex Burridge said.

The Redhawks will play one relocated more game against Saint Louis University on March 4 that was changed to be played in Sauget, Illinois, that was originally scheduled in Capaha Field before they enter OVC play against Eastern Kentucky.

"The weather has definitely been a factor, but we just have to remember that both teams are going through the same things," Burridge said. "It's just things that you have to fight through."

The Redhawks have been through many schedule changes the past couple weeks from the snow, but it has also allowed them to learn how to attack the snow in the future.

"Just bundle up, stay warm and put on layers," Burridge said. "Know that the team that stays mentally strong in times like this will be the one that ends up on top."