Cape News

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (9-12) took game two of the series with Western Illinois (3-15) behind starting pitcher Payton Lawrence's 8.1 innings pitched outing, as the right-hander registered seven strikeouts Saturday afternoon. 

Lawrence completed his longest outing of the season giving way to RHP Kyle Miller in the ninth inning. Miller shut the door on the Leathernecks to pick up the second-straight victory for the Redhawks. 
 
Lawrence finished the day allowing just four hits over 30 batters faced. 
 
Offensively, the Redhawks pounded out six hits on a chilly afternoon and utilized small ball to scratch across four runs. 
 
SEMO got going first with a two-run third inning. Brett Graber reached base on an error by WIU first baseman J.R. Heavlin. 

Second baseman Ben Palmer laid down a perfect bunt down the first base line to move Graber to second and recorded a bunt single in the process as the Redhawks had runners on first and second with no outs. 
 
WIU starting pitcher Tyler Kapraun (0-3) delivered a wild pitch that moved the runners up 90-feet. Left fielder grounded out to the shortstop to plate Graber for the first run of the game. 
 
The second run of the inning came in unorthodox fashion with two outs in the inning. Josh Cameron reached base following a strikeout, dropped third strike by the WIU catcher. Palmer came across to score and the Redhawks led 2-0 through the first three innings. 
 
Two more runs would come across for the Redhawks in the seventh inning to extend the SEMO lead to 4-0. 
 
Palmer led off the inning with a base knock to right field, and advanced to second via a wild pitch on WIU relief pitcher Aron Harrington. 
 
Mason singled down the first base line to plate Palmer for his second RBI of the day, giving the Redhawks a 3-0 lead. 
 
The Redhawks left fielder finished the day going 1-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. 
 
First baseman Gunnar Doyle slapped a single between third base and the shortstop, and on a close play at the plate, Mason scored to give the Redhawks a 4-0 lead. 
 
Nolan Ackerman and Ben Palmer each recorded a pair of hits to pace the Redhawks offense as SEMO improved to 9-12 on the season. 
 
WIU's Tyler Kapraun (0-3) took the loss in Saturday's contest. 
 
The Redhawks and Leathernecks will complete the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m., CT. from Capaha Field. 

Original source can be found here.