Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Jevon Mason’s go-ahead home run lifts SEMO past Tennessee Tech 5-4

Sunday, April 16, 2023
SEMO junior right handed pitcher Payton Lawrence throws a pitch during the first inning Redhawks 5-4 victory over Tennessee Tech on April 15 at Capaha Field.
Photo by Isaiah Collins

SEMO baseball defeated the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 5-4 after senior outfielder Jevon Mason put the team ahead with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Mason said he knew he needed to score a run for his team in that situation.

“We were struggling scoring runs kind of late in that game, and I was just planning on crossing home plate for my teammates. I ran into one and luckily when it was over the fans and that's what we needed,” Mason said.

After Mason’s home run, the Redhawks were able to hold on to the lead going to the ninth inning, when they gave the ball to junior utility player Kyle Miller. Miller would go on to get the save, the 14th of his career, making him the all time leader in saves for SEMO baseball.

Coach Andy Sawyers said Mason and Miller’s success this season has been expected, especially after their early season struggles.

“You can't put our struggles in the first couple of weeks on one particular person's shoulders but, Jevon Mason's an elite level hitter. He's been that way for three years here,” Sawyers said. “Kyle Miller has been the best reliever in the league for the last two. Those guys weren't going good, but they certainly have been fantastic of late.”

Mason and Miller were not the only stars of the game. Junior utility player Chance Resetich went 4-5 with a RBI. Junior outfielder Josh Cameron finished 2-4 with two doubles and a hit stealing catch in the bottom of the 9th inning.

On the pitching side, senior right handed pitcher Hunter Ralls pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless baseball with strikeouts. Coach Sawyers, in particular, was impressed with Ralls ability to pitch multiple innings.

“We needed somebody to give us some length, when you only get four outs from your starters,” Sawyers said. “So not only did he get the scoring stopped, but then he gave us the length we needed to not wreck the entire bullpen for the whole series.”

The Redhawks will finish off the series with Tennessee Tech on April 16, before starting a 3 game series at Morehead State on April 21. Josh Cameron said the Redhawks aren’t trying to look too far ahead in the future.

“I think good things will happen if we just take it game by game and play our game. I think that’s the best way we can prepare for it,” Cameron said.

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