CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Interstat) — Southeast Missouri State scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat SIU Edwardsville 5-1 in an Ohio Valley Conference game Saturday afternoon at Capaha Field.

The Redhawks (31-12) trailed 1-0 after SIUE’s Ryan Niedzwiedz homered to right field in the top of the sixth. Southeast Missouri State then strung together four walks and a two-run single by Cal Sullivan to take control.

Mason Pennington earned the win, allowing one run on seven hits with four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. Matt Wnukowski added 1 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts, and Caden Kickhaefer and Jackson Kranawetter combined for two hitless innings.

For the Cougars (22-21), Spencer Stearns pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, yielding no hits and one unearned run with one strikeout. Niedzwiedz went 2 for 4 with a home run, and Ethan Willoughby also had two hits.

Southeast Missouri State had four hits and grounded into two double plays, while SIU Edwardsville collected eight hits. The Redhawks improved to 2-0 in the series, with the final game scheduled Sunday.