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Govs, Redhawks split pair of one-run games

APSU Men’s Baseball

Austin Peay State University GovernorsClarksville, TN – Austin Peay’s baseball team split a pair of one-run contests with Southeast Missouri – winning the opener, 6-5, before falling in the nightcap, 3-2 – in Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader action, Saturday at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay (26-21, 14-5 OVC) won the series first game courtesy catcher Matt Wollenzin’s bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning. Southeast Missouri closer Logan Mahon (5-4) walked a batter and surrendered a pair of singles to load the bases. He prevented the winning run from scoring once as late substitute Blake Frazier hit into a fielder’s choice with first baseman John Hogan out at home. Mahon then battled back from a 3-0 deficit to a 3-2 count against Wollenzin but his full-count offering was low and away, pushing across the winning run.

Shortstop Reed Harper had three hits and three RBI in Saturday's doubleheader against Southeast Missouri, extending his hit streak to 25 games. (Austin Peay Sports Information)
Shortstop Reed Harper had three hits and three RBI in Saturday's doubleheader against Southeast Missouri, extending his hit streak to 25 games. (Austin Peay Sports Information)

Southeast Missouri (29-18, 11-7) led 4-0 after the second inning, with a three-run first inning assisted by a Governors error that allowed two runs to score. However, the Redhawks did not score again until the eighth inning, again using an Austin Peay error to produce a game-tying run.

Governors’ starter Jeremy Dobbs battled through those first two innings, facing 14 batters but stranding four runners on base. After allowing the leadoff runner to reach base in the third inning, he retired the next 14 batters he faced, allowing Austin Peay to climb back into the game.

Austin Peay’s offense broke through in the third as shortstop Reed Harper extended his hitting streak with a RBI single, cutting the SEMO lead to 4-1.

John HoganTwo innings later, the Govs plated three runs to tie the game. First baseman John Hogan led of the sixth with a home run – his ninth this season. Harper and second baseman Jordan Hankins each singled to chase Southeast Missouri starter Jordan Underwood from the mound. Reliever Terry Wise induced a strikeout but then surrendered an RBI single to Wollenzin, who entered as a pinch hitter, and a RBI double to designated hitter Cody Hudson, before the Redhawks were able to end the threat.

Austin Peay closer Ryne Harper (5-1) secured the win. After allowing a game-tying sacrifice fly in the ninth, he retired the final four batters he faced to allow the Govs ninth inning effort.

Jordan HankinsSoutheast Missouri won a pitcher’s duel in the sixth inning of the nightcap. The Redhawks used back-to-back one out singles to chase Austin Peay starter Jack Snodgrass. Reliever Mike Hebert walked the first batter he faced, loading the bases, but induced a ground out fielder’s choice that retired the runner going home before leaving the game. Ryne Harper entered the game and allowed the eventual game-winning run to score as his 2-2 pitch to catcher Jesse Tierney got through the legs of Wollenzin and to the backstop.

The Redhawks jumped on top for the second straight game, third baseman Trenton Moses using his season’s 10th home run to give SEMO a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Austin Peay battled back and tied the game with runs in the first and third innings. Center fielder Michael Blanchard led off the first with a double and would score on Bachman’s sacrifice fly. Two innings later, Austin Peay saw its first two batters reach base but expended two outs before Reed Harper singled to center field to score the tying run.

Michael BlanchardRedhawks starter Jon Dicus (4-4) recorded the win in his first complete-game effort, allowing two runs on nine hits but striking out six over seven innings.

Snodgrass (2-6) was tagged for the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings.

Harper finished the day with three hits, extending his hit streak to 25 games with his RBI single in the third inning of game two, and led the Govs with three RBI. Bachman, Hankins and Hogan also had three hits each in the doubleheader.

Moses led Southeast Missouri with three hits and three RBI in the doubleheader.

Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri complete their three-game series with a 1:00pm, Sunday contest. The Govs enter that affair needing a victory against the Redhawks to secure the OVC regular-season title outright. Prior to the contest, Austin Peay will recognize its seven seniors playing their final home game — Eric Davis, Blake Frazier, Shayne Martin, Dylan Ray, Jack Snodgrass, Haskell Fink and Ryne Harper.

Seniors

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