Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Southeast baseball team comes together to achieve main goal

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Southeast Missouri State University baseball team's new players have experienced 21 games at the Division I level on a team that has struggled. So far, the Redhawks have had good play by a handful of freshmen and transfer players but have been plagued by a pitching staff that has been unable to control their pitches and their opponents.

"Well, they're hanging in there," Southeast coach Mark Hogan said. "I mean, we've had some good wins and more recently we've had a tough stretch against good competition. The key for them is to keep their head up. I mean, this is their dream, to play on this level and in a lot of ways they are finding out how difficult it is because the athletes are excellent. We've got a lot of good players too though, and I think they'll learn from it."

The Redhawks have a record of 7-14. The team will start Ohio Valley Conference play against Austin Peay at 3 p.m. on March 23 and 1 p.m. on March 24 and 25.

Freshman pitcher Cody Spanberger pitched against Illinois State University on March 4 at Capaha Park. -Photo by Nathan Hamilton

"I think every outing is valuable," Hogan said. "Every time our guys get out on the field they learn a little bit more. You know, the key right now is just to be able to keep their head above water and go through this period where we are struggling, learn from it, and then if you can get on the other side of that and have some success. Then it's really a worthwhile learning experience. The thing you can't do and the thing that is not acceptable is to quit or put your head down. Because this is a tough league and you can't do it. You've got to go after it."

Out of the eighteen additions to the team, Hogan said that freshmen Andy Lennington, Jason Blum and Dalton Hewitt, and junior transfers Zack Smith and Shane Blair have stood out to him so far this season.

Lennington has a batting average of .296 and has started 19 games and played first base, second base, shortstop and right field. Blum has started in 17 games this season and is hitting .182. Blair has been behind the plate in eight games and has hit two home runs.

"[The coaches and returning players] are always behind us and support us," Lennington said. "No matter how you do, whether you go 0-for-4 or 4-for-4, they're always going to be behind you. They're just a big support group."

Smith, the No. 3 starting pitcher, has a record of 1-4 with 13 strikeouts and a 7.71 ERA. The team has an ERA of 7.56. Seven Southeast pitchers, including freshmen Grant Davis and Will Spitzfaden, were used in a 22-11 loss against Saint Louis University on March 6. It was the first college game that both Davis and Spitzfaden had pitched in.

Five Southeast pitchers also gave up 20 hits and walked 13 batters in a 13-11 extra-inning loss to Illinois State on March 3. The Redhawks were leading the Redbirds 11-2, but were outscored 11-0 the final five innings.

"[The pitching staff] is trying so hard, and this is a steep curve when you come into this league and you know the athletes are all excellent," Hogan said. "It's not just the physical part, it's mentally being able to go in there and handle those stressful levels of competition. You know, there's only one way to get it. You've got to go in there and get boxed around a little."

Lennington said that he hopes he can do what it takes to win because that is the team's main goal.

"My goal is always the same: good team unity and a lot of cohesion and playing good, hard baseball," Hogan said. "Some days it looks easier than others. Some days it might be easier than others. It's tough for us right now, but that's part of the game."

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