CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Interstat) — Southeast Missouri State overcame an early deficit and used a four-run first inning to defeat Austin Peay 7-5 on Wednesday at Capaha Field, taking the series opener after a 0-run shutout Tuesday.

The Redhawks improved to 32-16, while the Governors fell to 23-25.

Southeast Missouri State jumped on Austin Peay starter E. Underhill in the bottom of the first. C. Sullivan, D. Shakotko and T. Hall drew walks or were hit by pitch to load the bases before D. Joggerst walked to force in the first run. T. Sims followed with a walk to score Shakotko. After a pitching change to Chance Cox, J. Terranova singled through the left side, driving in Hall. A. Ramirez added a run on a fielder’s choice, giving the Redhawks a 4-0 lead.

Austin Peay answered in the fourth when R. Velazquez homered to left field, cutting the deficit to 4-1. The Governors tied the game in the sixth. P. Pridgen walked and Velazquez walked, then A. Matias singled to left to score Pridgen, and C. Johnson followed with a two-run single through the left side, scoring Matias and Velazquez to knot the score at 4-4.

Southeast Missouri State reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth. D. Joggerst walked and Sims singled, and Terranova singled to shortstop, driving in Joggerst to make it 5-4.

The Redhawks added insurance in the sixth. B. Kettering walked, C. Klein singled, and Sullivan walked to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Kettering to score, and Sims singled to shortstop, driving in Klein to extend the lead to 7-4.

Austin Peay got one back in the seventh on a single by T. Wisdom that scored T. Costello, who had walked and advanced on a walk to M. Pickering. But the Governors could not get closer.

Tank Sims led Southeast Missouri State by going 4-for-4 with two RBIs. He singled in the third, fifth, sixth and eighth innings. J. Terranova added two hits and two RBIs.

For Austin Peay, A. Matias had three hits, including singles in the fourth, sixth and eighth. C. Johnson collected two hits and two RBIs. R. Velazquez homered and walked twice.

Pitching was a key factor. Chance Cox threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Austin Peay, allowing no hits and striking out two. Aaron Lewis added 1 2/3 scoreless frames with three strikeouts. For Southeast Missouri State, Ranard Grace struck out three over two perfect innings. JohnPaul Sauer allowed one earned run on three hits in three innings. Matt Wnukowski, Caden Kickhaefer and Jackson Kranawetter combined for 2 2/3 scoreless innings, with Kranawetter striking out three in the ninth to close the game.

The turning point came in the bottom of the sixth after Austin Peay had tied the game. Southeast Missouri State strung together three walks and a single, then capitalized on a wild pitch and a clutch hit by Sims to seize a three-run lead that proved insurmountable.

Austin Peay had 8 hits to Southeast Missouri State’s 7, but the Redhawks made the most of their walks and timely hitting.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Southeast Missouri State 7, Austin Peay 6, and its ELO system gave the Redhawks a 53.90 percent probability to win.