Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Austin Peay Governors
Friday-Sunday, March 14th-16th, 2014
Clarksville, TN – | Raymond C. Hand Park
Clarksville, 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).
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.
Two-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.
Center 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.
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