Austin Peay Baseball’s White Team wins Game 2 in Red-White World Series

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Baseball

Clarksville, TN – Third baseman Craig Massoni’s two-run sixth-inning single provided the game-winning runs in a White Team 7-6 series-tying victory, Saturday, in Game 2 of Austin Peay State University baseball team’s Red-White World Series at Raymond C. Hand Park.

A see-saw battle throughout, the White Squad trailed 4-1 before scoring two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 5-4 lead. Second baseman Jake Walters led off the fourth inning with a home run and catcher P.J. Torres added a RBI single. Walters struck again with an RBI single in the fifth and the White Team took the lead courtesy a passed ball.

The Red Squad regained the lead in the fifth on left fielder Austin Atwell’s two-run home run to left field. However, those would be the last runs the Red Squad would score.

The White Team rallied with two outs in the sixth, shortstop Kevin Corey starting the rally with a walk. Left fielder Cody Hudson singled and, after he moved to second base, the Red Squad intentionally walked Walters to load the bases. The tactic did not pay off as Massoni singled to drive home two runs.

The Red Squad will look back at the first and second innings when base-running gaffes cost it a chance at more runs. The Red Squad scored two runs in the first, but left two runners on base after the trailing runners lost track of the lead runner stopping at third. Catcher Matt Wollenzin attempted to score from third as the defense scrambled to take advantage of the miscue, but was tagged out at home to end the inning.

The Red Squad struck for two more runs in the second, but second baseman Jordan Hankins was tagged out at home on a on-target throw by right fielder Matt Meadows to end the inning with two runners left on base.

Walters finished the day 3-for-3 with three RBI. Hudson also had three hits and scored three times. Corey and first baseman Kyle Schlatter each had two hits.

Centerfielder Dylan Riner was 3-for-5 with two runs scored from the Red Squad’s leadoff spot. Catcher Matt Wollenzin was 1-for-1 with an RBI and three walks. Shortstop Brett Carlson was 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Zach Hall started on the mound for the White Team and went 4.2 innings but allowed six runs on nine hits, walked seven batters but struck out six. Brian Krolikowski (1-0) picked up the win in relief, recording two outs while briding the gap to closer Jared Carkuff who picked up the save with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.

A.J. Guara started for the Red Squad and allowed five runs on 11 hits over four-plus innings. Reliever Tyler Rogers (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out four, over three innings.

The Red-White World Series continues with a 1:00pm, Sunday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park. Admission is free to all fans.