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Austin Peay State University Baseball starts OVC play against Eastern Illinois Panthers this weekend

Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Austin Peay Governors

Friday-Sunday, March 14th-16th, 2014
Clarksville, TN – | Raymond C. Hand Park

Austin Peay State University Governors Sports - APSUClarksville, TN – After a rough run through its pre-conference slate, Austin Peay’s baseball team (6-9, 0-0 OVC) will seek a fresh start when it opens Ohio Valley Conference play, Friday-Sunday, against the Eastern Illinois Panthers (3-13, 1-2 OVC).

Austin Peay Baseball kicks off OVC Season at home vs. Eastern Illinois at Raymond C. Hand Park. (Michael Rios-Clarksville Sports Network)
Austin Peay Baseball kicks off OVC Season at home vs. Eastern Illinois at Raymond C. Hand Park. (Michael Rios-Clarksville Sports Network)

The Govs are 5-3 during their current homestand, which comes to a conclusion with this weekend’s series.

The Panthers opened OVC play last weekend, winning one game of a three-game set played at SIUE.

Austin Peay Governors

After a 1-6 start to 2014, the Govs have won 5 of their last 8 during its current 11-game homestand. Austin Peay entered its current homestand with a season-low .193 batting average but are batting .242 entering this weekend’s series.

Alex RoblesTwo-way man Alex Robles (3B/P) ranks fifth among OVC hitters (.404 average) and has a current seven-game hit streak. Right fielder Rolando Gautier moved into the leadoff spot, February 25th, against Eastern Michigan and has a hit in 7 of his 8 games (held hitless vs. Lipscomb). Utility man Ridge Smith enters the midweek outing with 15 RBI, fourth-most among OVC hitters this season.

Shortstop Logan Gray saw his six-game hit streak end against Lipscomb, Tuesday, but he hit a game-winning grand slam against Milwaukee, Sunday. Second baseman Garrett Copeland leads Austin Peay with 4 stolen bases, one of 10 players to record a stolen base this season.

P.J. TorresCenter fielder Chase Hamilton leads the Govs with 10 walks this season. Catcher P.J. Torres has 9 hits and 7 RBI in his last 6 games, bringing his average from a season-low .176 (February 25th) to its current .241.

Austin Peay’s 15 stolen bases during the homestand give it 18 total stolen bases this season. Eight freshmen have taken an at-bat this year and they have combined to hit .237 (72-for-304) and have 48 of the team’s 73 RBI.

The Govs defense has gotten off to a rough start with 44 errors this season (.926 fielding percentage). Head coach Gary McClure is one of 28 active Division I coaches with 800 wins and he is APSU and the OVC’s all-time wins leader.

This season, Austin Peay was picked to finish 2nd in the OVC’s preseason poll behind Tennessee Tech. The Govs did not have a player selected to the preseason All-OVC squad; only senior catcher P.J. Torres returns after receiving All-OVC honors (2nd team) last season.

First Pitch

Right-hander Alex Robles will move into the No. 1 role, Friday, for this weekend’s OVC opener after pitching in the No. 2 spot the season’s first 4 weeks. He has the Govs only two starts lasting 7 innings this season, each coming in his last two outings. Righty Ryan Quick will move into the No. 2 role, Saturday, after starting the last two weeks in the No. 1 spot.

After a quality start (6 IP, 3 ER) against Dayton, February 28th, Quick did not make it out of the fourth inning against Akron, March 7th (3.1 IP, 2 ER). Left-hander Levi Primasing will reprise his No. 3 role, Sunday, for a second straight week. He was roughed up for 6 runs (2 earned) in 2 innings against Milwaukee, March 9th.

The Govs starters have a 5.48 ERA and 2-5 record in 11 weekend starts this season. Opponents are hitting .338 with the Govs starters surrendering 13.22 hits per nine innings this season.

Probable Starting Pitchers

Date Austin Peay Starter
vs. Opponent’s Starter
FRI.
6:00pm
RHP Alex Robles (Fr., 1-1, 4.87 ERA)
RHP Matt Borens (Jr., 0-2, 1.67 ERA)
SAT.
2:00pm
RHP Ryan Quick (RSr., 1-2, 5.40 ERA)
RHP Jake Johansmeier (So., 1-1, 4.03 ERA)
SUN.
1:00pm
LHP Levi Primasing (Fr., 1-0, 3.77 ERA)
RHP Jaden Widdersheim (Sr., 1-0, 2.40 ERA)

Media Center

Radio: WVRY 105.1 FM
Play by Play: Van Stokes

Live Statistics: LetsGoPeay.com
Online Audio: www.LetsGoPeay.com
Twitter: @APSUBaseball

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