Austin Peay State University Governors Baseball loses 4-3 at Murray State Racers

APSU Sports Information

Murray, KY – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team could not overcome a pair of miscues in a 4-3 Ohio Valley Conference loss to Murray State, Friday afternoon at Reagan Field.

Austin Peay (10-8, 4-3 OVC) saw the first miscue lead to a 3-0 Murray State lead in the second inning. Govs starter Alex Robles surrendered back-to-back singles to start the inning but recovered to retire the next two batters.

Yet, Robles could not escape the inning without allowing a run as center fielder Taylor Mathews singled to drive in a run.

The Govs pitcher then induced an apparent inning-ending ground ball to third base, but Logan Gray‘s throw to first was in the dirt and wide of first base allowing two runs to score. Robles would get the ground out he needed from the next batter to close the inning.

The Govs offense would get those three runs back over the next two innings, tying the game 3-3 after its half of the fourth. First baseman Dre Gleason had a big hand in the effort, hitting a leadoff home run in the third and tying the game with a RBI single in the fourth. Gray would add a leadoff home run in the fourth to aid the effort.

The Govs second miscue came in the bottom of the fourth when Robles hit leadoff hitter Derek Yoder to start the inning. The Racers then used a hit-and-run to move Yoder to third where second baseman Nick Moore brought him home with a sacrifice fly for the 4-3 lead.

Austin Peay would have chances over the final five innings, leaving a runner in scoring position in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

The eighth inning proved particularly crucial as second baseman Garrett Copeland doubled off the left field wall with one out. However, he was left stranded at third as the Govs could not produce a base hit to tie the game.

Murray State (7-15, 3-4 OVC)  needed just five hits in the victory, first baseman Anthony Bayus finishing 2-for-4 to lead the effort.

Racers starter Brock Downey (3-3) eld Austin Peay to three runs while scattering 11 hits over 8.2 innings. He was removed after allowing a two-out single in the ninth and closer Cody Maerz allowed a pinch hit single before getting a line drive out to end the game for his season’s second save.

Robles (0-2) pitched a complete game in the losing effort, allowing four runs on five hits over eight innings, striking out five.

Gleason’s 2-for-3, two RBI effort led the Govs. Gray and Copeland also had two hits each. Austin Peay finished with 12 hits but was only 1-for-8 in RBI opportunities.

Austin Peay and Murray State continue their OVC set with a 2:00pm, Saturday contest. That game will be available on the OVC Digital Network. Austin Peay right-hander Jared Carkuff (2-3) will take the mound against Murray State’s Brad Boegel (0-1).

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