Austin Peay Men’s Baseball vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Friday-Sunday, March 16th-18th, 2012
Location: Columbus, Ohio | Stadium: Bill Davis Stadium (4,450)
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay’s baseball team travels north to meet Ohio State in a three-game non-conference series, Friday-Sunday, for its final tune-up. The Govs will seek to end a recent slump that has seen them losing four of their last five games. The Buckeyes return to action after splitting its four games at the Coastal Carolina Tournament last weekend.
Austin Peay has dropped four of its last five outings, including its two midweek outings at Memphis (1-2) and against Evansville (3-7). The Govs offense has averaged 3.4 runs per game and is batting .246 during that five-game stretch, but 10 of its 17 runs came in a 10-8 victory against Arkansas State, March 11th.Designated hitter Jon Clinard has led the Govs with a .400 batting average (8-of-20) and has moved into the leadoff spot in the last three games. Third baseman Greg Bachman is batting .350 (7-of-20) with a home run and has a team-best 5 RBI. Second baseman Jordan Hankins (.333, 6-of-18) and catcher Matt Wollenzin (.313, 5-of-16) also are batting above .300 during the Govs most recent five games.
The Govs starters also have struggled recently, with an 8.85 ERA while lasting 20.1 innings in five outings. Game 1 starter Ryan Quick is the one starter who has bucked the trend, allowing 2 or fewer runs in his fourth consecutive start, but did not earn a decision against Northern Illinois after allowing 1 run and striking out 8 over 8 innings.
Last week’s Game 2 starter Zach Toney (3.2 innings, 8 runs) and Game 3 starter Casey Delgado (1.2 innings, 3 runs) both suffered through their season’s shortest outings last weekend. The Govs bullpen continues to be a strength, posting a 3.62 ERA and limiting opponents to a .256 batting average despite posting 27.1 innings (5.2 innings per game).
Austin Peay was picked to finish first in the OVC’s preseason poll. Four Governors were selected to the league’s preseason team – Toney, Harper, senior outfielder Michael Blanchard and sophomore second baseman Jordan Hankins. Austin Peay returns 7 of its 8 defensive starters from last season.
About The Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes split their four games at the Coastal Carolina Tournament last weekend, defeating Marist (17-2) and Toledo (13-1) and dropping two contests to host Coastal Carolina (1-4 and 2-3). Left fielder and leadoff hitter Joe Ciamacco leads OSU with a .378 batting average.
First baseman Josh Dezse has a team-best four home runs while batting .373 with 11 RBI. Second baseman Ryan Cypret leads the Buckeyes with 14 RBI and is batting .340 this season.
Game 1 starter Jaron Long struck out 7 over 7.1 innings in a loss to Coastal Carolina, allowing one run, but did not earn a decision as the bullpen surrendered three runs. Game 2 starter Brian King did not pitch at Myrtle Beach but is penciled in to make his season’s fourth start Saturday, he is 2-1 with a 7.50 ERA in three previous starts. Game 3 starter Brett McKinney scattered 11 hits, allowing two runs over eight innings in OSU’s win against Marist, and he improved to 2-2 this season.
Cardiac Govs
Govs Pitchers Retire Red Wolves
Austin Peay’s pitchers recorded 16 strikeouts against Arkansas State, March 11th. It was the most strikeouts recorded in a single-game since the start of the 1996 season. Junior Tyler Rogers notched seven of those strikeouts in 4.1 innings of relief before senior Mike Hebert followed with eight strikeouts in the final 4.0 innings.
Game Start Times
Date | Time (CT) | Austin Peay Starter | Opponent’s Starter | APSU Radio/Internet |
Fri. | 4:05pm. | RHP Ryan Quick | RHP Jaron Long | None |
(RSo., 1-0, 2.08 ERA) | (So., 0-0, 2.01 ERA) | |||
Sat. | 2:05pm. | LHP Zach Toney | LHP Brian King | None |
(Sr., 1-2, 5.91 ERA) | (Jr., 2-1, 7.50 ERA) | |||
Sun. | 12:05pm. | TBA | RHP Brett McKinney | None |
(Jr., 2-2, 5.32 ERA) |
Statistical Comparison: Governors vs. Buckeyes | ||||||||||||
TEAM | BA | RPG | HR | RBI | SLG | OBP | SB-A | ERA | BB/9 | SO/9 | BAA | FLD |
APSU | .268 | 5.1 | 15 | 76 | .399 | .383 | 17-27 | 4.57 | 4.96 | 8.45 | .252 | .963 |
OSU | .267 | 7.1 | 9 | 86 | .383 | .375 | 24-26 | 5.04 | 3.79 | 6.93 | .291 | .974 |