Cape News

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (8-12) used a seven-run sixth inning and a strong pitching performance by left-hander Noah Niznik to grab a 10-3 series-opening win over Western Illinois (3-14) Friday at Capaha Field.
 
During his fifth start of the season, Niznik did not allow a run in the game's first six innings. He also retired 13-straight hitters before WIU scored its only runs in the top of the seventh.
 
Niznik was working with a 1-0 lead when SEMO loaded the bases and busted the game open with its big sixth inning.
 
Chance Resetich started things off with a single to left and stole second to get into scoring position. Ben Palmer walked and Carlos Aranda reached on an infield hit to put Redhawks at every base. In his first career at-bat with the bases loaded, Gunnar Doyle ripped a base hit to right field to score both Palmer and Resetich.
 
Nolan Ackerman and Peyton Leeper each doubled. Ackerman's double scored both Doyle and Aranda, and Leeper's hit drove in Ackerman. Jevon Mason later smashed a two-run home run opposite field over the right field wall to extend the Redhawks lead to 8-0. Mason picked up his second home run of the season in an inning which saw 10 SEMO hitters come to the plate.
 
With one out in the top of the seventh, Ricky Pospisil doubled to left and scored on an ensuing triple by Kyree Alexander. Alexander touched home when Max Slavens grounded out to second cutting SEMO's lead to 8-2. 
 
SEMO scored for the first time in the game during the third inning. Leeper drew a one-out walk and went to third on a perfectly executed hit-and-run when Mason singled up the middle. Mason stole second on the next play to give SEMO runners at second and third. Resetich then knocked in Leeper for the game's first run on a groundout in the bottom of the third inning.
 
The Redhawks added one more run in the seventh and another in the eighth to put their win on ice.
 
Niznik evened his record to 2-2. He finished with seven strikeouts and did not allow a walk in 6.2 innings. Niznik allowed six hits and threw 102 pitches in his nice outing, as well.
 
Right-hander Jake Armstrong (2-2) suffered the loss. Armstrong gave up five runs on six hits, struck out three and walked four in 5.1 innings.
 
WIU reliever Chase Golden was roughed up for three runs and three hits in one-third of an inning on just 12 pitches.
 
SEMO registered 10 hits, its sixth game with double-digit hits in 2023. The Redhawks also had a season-high four stolen bases.
 
Mason, Doyle, Resetich and Leeper all had two hits. Mason and Resetich also had two RBI, while Doyle knocked in three runs of his own.
 
The Redhawks and Leathernecks resume their series with a 2 p.m., CT first pitch Saturday. 

  Original source can be found here.