Redhawks Rally to Secure OVC Third Seed
Southeast Missouri State University’s baseball squad turned a tightly contested game into a decisive 10‑5 win over Little Rock on May 16, highlighted by a seven‑run eighth inning that sealed the victory and locked the Redhawks into the OVC Tournament’s third seed.
The contest swung early, with Little Rock matching the Redhawks at 2‑2 in the fifth before Southeast pulled ahead on Brooks Kettering’s two‑RBI double in the sixth. Kettering, who finished with three runs, three hits, three RBIs and a solo homer, sparked the offense, but it was the late surge that defined the night.
Andrew Ramirez added a clutch double in the eighth that scored Tank Sims, while Caleb Klein’s RBI single and Josiah Hall’s two‑RBI single pushed the lead further. Hall also contributed two stolen bases, and Ryan Lopetegui’s two‑RBI single capped the rally. Demitri Shakotko’s RBI single sealed the seven‑run burst, while Trey Hill’s solo homer provided a late spark for Little Rock.
The Redhawks finished the game with a 38‑16 record and sit second in the OVC standings, while Little Rock fell to 30‑25 overall and 16‑11 in conference play. Key contributors from the lineup included Brooks Kettering, Carson Schrack, Demitri Shakotko, Andrew Ramirez, Caleb Klein, Josiah Hall, Ryan Lopetegui, Trey Hill, Tank Sims and Jerdy Lopez, each posting notable statistics that underscored the team’s depth.
The squad will next travel to Marion, Illinois, for a May 20 matchup at 3:00 p.m., where they hope to carry the momentum forward.