Preview: Missouri State Bears at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Interstat) — Two surging in-state programs will meet under the lights, and potentially the rain, when the Missouri State Bears visit the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks on Tuesday evening at Capaha Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. under a forecast calling for 70-degree temperatures and rain.

Both teams enter with identical 10-win records, though Missouri State (10-5) holds a slight edge in winning percentage. The Bears are riding a three-game winning streak after sweeping a high-scoring home series against Memphis, capped by a 13-12 victory on Sunday. Shortstop Jax Ryan drove in three runs in that finale, continuing a strong stretch where he has homered twice and driven in five over his last six games.

Southeast Missouri State (10-7) also swept its most recent weekend series, dominating Milwaukee by a combined score of 29-6 over three games. In Sunday’s 12-2 win, left fielder Joseph Terranova homered and drove in three runs on just one official at-bat, while first baseman Cal Sullivan added three hits.

A key matchup will feature Missouri State’s potent offense against Redhawks pitcher Andrew Carroll, a likely starter coming off his best outing of the season. Carroll (1-1, 7.36 ERA) tossed seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits against Milwaukee last Sunday. His season has been inconsistent, however, highlighted by a rough start against Miami (Ohio) on Feb. 28 where he surrendered eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Missouri State’s bullpen secured Sunday’s win after starter Owen Slater went six innings, allowing two runs. The Bears’ offense has averaged over nine runs per game during their current win streak.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects as another offensive showdown, with a predicted final score of Missouri State 8, Southeast Missouri State 7.

Following this midweek clash, both teams hit the road for weekend series. Missouri State travels to face Liberty in a three-game set beginning Friday, while Southeast Missouri State heads to Wright State for a trio of games starting the same day.