EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Mack Mitchell drove in four runs for the Cougars, but it wasn't enough as SIUE dropped the opener of a three-game series 9-5 to Southeast Missouri Saturday night at Simmons Baseball Complex.
The Cougars fell to 5-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play and 12-16 overall. SEMO improved to 18-12 overall. The Redhawks moved into a tie with the Cougars at 5-2 to lead the OVC.
The Redhawks built a 7-0 lead over the first four innings and never trailed in the game.
SEMO right-hander Nathan Mertens (4-1) was in control for the better part of his seven-inning outing. He was perfect through the first five innings and struck out seven. He allowed three runs on three hits in the sixth inning.
John Stallcup broke up the perfect game with one out in the sixth. Daniel Gierer followed with a base hit and then Mitchell hit his team-leading 10th home run of the year just inside the right field foul pole to get SIUE on the board.
SEMO led 9-3 in the eighth when SIUE used took advantage of two walks and a hit batter to load the bases. Mitchell singled home a run and Ryan Niedzwiedz drove in a run with a fielder's choice to make it 9-5.
Mitchell finished 2-4 with the four RBIs. Stallcup and Gierer had the only other two hits.
Tim Teixeira (2-2) started for SIUE and worked into the fourth. He allowed six runs on 10 hits. He walked two and struck out two.
Game two of the series is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at Roy E. Lee Field.
