(CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., April 23)—The McKendree University baseball team went toe-to-toe Tuesday night in a non-conference road game against NCAA Division I Southeast Missouri State University as the host Redhawks held off a challenge from the Bearcats, 4-1.
 
Three McKendree pitchers limited SEMO to just six hits in Tuesday's effort as the Bearcats began a five-game road trip. McKendree will make the short trip to St. Charles, Mo., Wednesday evening for another non-conference contest at Lindenwood University. First pitch has been moved back an hour to 7 p.m. due to the anticipated weather forecast.
 
Sophomore Jacob Reinkemeyer (Wildwood, MO/Eureka) earned the starting assignment for McKendree and allowed four runs – just two earned – on four hits with three strikeouts over the first 3 2/3 innings. Senior Kraig Gielow (Arnold, MO/DeSmet Jesuit) turned in a sparkling performance in relief of Reinkemeyer, giving up just one hit over 3 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. Senior Logan Zachry (Carlyle, IL/Carlyle) finished up Tuesday's game for the Bearcats, fanning two batters in the eighth inning.
 
Southeast Missouri State (19-23) built a 4-0 lead with two runs in the first inning and one tally each in the second and fourth innings. McKendree (9-32) struck for its run with a two-out rally in the top of the seventh. Freshman infielder Joseph Costanzo (Kansas City, MO/Rockhurst) singled to center field before senior Matt DeLaVega (Lincolnwood, IL/Niles West) came up next and delivered an RBI double down the left-field line to bring home Costanzo.
 
Junior infielder Bryce Emery (Harrisburg, IL/Harrisburg) registered two of McKendree's five hits at SEMO, while senior infielder Adam Cox (Louisville, IL/North Clay) notched the other hit for the Bearcats, a second-inning single.