SEMO baseball’s tough start to the 2023 season continued on March 1 as the Redhawks lost 14-8 to the Evansville Purple Aces. The loss leaves the Redhawks with a 2-7 record and a 3 game losing streak.

Evansville got on the board in the top of the first inning with an RBI single from fifth year utility player Chase Hug. SEMO struck back with an RBI single of their own in the bottom of the second inning from senior outfielder Carlos Arranda in his Capaha Field debut after transferring from Northern Illinois this offseason.

The game was tied 1-1 after two innings, but the Evansville offense exploded with six runs in the top of the third inning. SEMO baseball head coach Andy Sawyers said his teams’ pitching performance overall was below average.

“I didn’t think we were very competitive. I didn’t think we threw strikes. I didn’t think we competed very well,” Sawyer said.

The Redhawks immediately responded in the bottom of the third inning with a grandslam from Carlos Aranda to put SEMO within two runs.

Aranda said being able to anticipate the pitch is what allowed him to hit the ball out of the stadium.

“I knew a fastball was coming because he walked the guy before me so I just was trying [to] find the fastball and hit it hard,” Aranda said.

After Aranda’s grand slam 7-5 was as close as the Redhawks would get. Evansville scored seven unanswered runs until the bottom of the eighth inning, when junior utility player Chance Resetich hit a pinch hit two run homerun. Resetich said staying focused and prepared was key for him making a huge play off the bench.

“There’s alway a shot that you’re gonna get a chance to hit. So just being locked in and staying ready,” Resetich said.

SEMO junior infielder Lincoln Andrews hits a foul ball during SEMO's 14-8 loss to Evansvillle on March 1 at Capaha Field.Photo by Isaiah Collins

SEMO tacked on another run, but it was not enough to complete a comeback. Sawyers said he will need more production from his returning players going forward.

“It’s not really the new guys that are hurting right now. We’ve got a lot of old, good players that aren’t playing well. It’s not so much the guys we lost, it’s the guys we have back aren’t getting it done,” Sawyers said.

SEMO will be back in action for the start of a three game series against the Milwaukee Panthers on March 3 at 3 pm at Capaha field.

Outfielder Jevon Mason (1) holds back his swing for the ball during the March 1 game against the Evansville Aces. SEMO lost 14-8.Photo by Branton Beard