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APSU Governors Baseball grounds Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, 10-2

APSU Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Governors - APSUCookeville, TN – Junior right-handed starting pitcher Alex Robles struck out a season-high 10 batters to lead Austin Peay State University (APSU)’s baseball team to a 10-2 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Tennessee Tech, Friday night, at Bush Stadium.

Austin Peay's Alex Robles strikes out a season high 10 batters in Govs win over Tennessee Tech, Friday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay’s Alex Robles strikes out a season high 10 batters in Govs win over Tennessee Tech, Friday. (APSU Sports Information)

Robles (5-2) pieced together his finest start of the 2016 campaign, surrendering just two runs on six hits in 7.1 innings.

He walked only one batter while striking out a season-high 10.

The junior right-hander retired the first seven batters he faced before allowing a one-out single in the third. He would then keep Tennessee Tech (13-11, 5-5 OVC) off the scoreboard until the fifth inning when first baseman Matt Jones led off the inning with a home run.

APSU Baseball's Alex RoblesRobles would get into trouble briefly in the sixth inning, after allowing a bunt single to start the frame. A passed ball allowed the runner to reach scoring position and TTU second baseman Jake Farr batted in the run with a double. But Robles ultimately struck out the side in the sixth and would not see another runner reach scoring position against him.

Austin Peay (15-9, 7-3 OVC) saw its offense keep chugging away, scoring 10 or more runs for the fourth consecutive game. The Govs took control of the Friday’s contest early, striking for five runs in the second inning.

APSU Baseball's Kyle BlackburnIn that decisive second frame, senior left fielder Kyle Blackburn started the rally with a towering two-run home run to left field. The next four APSU batters followed with consecutive singles, second baseman Garrett Copeland supplying the eventual game-securing run with a RBI single for a 3-0 lead. Third baseman Ridge Smith and first baseman Dre Gleason each added a RBI.

The Govs would extend the lead with a run in the third as shortstop Clayton Smithson singled to drive in right fielder Chase Hamilton. Austin Peay built a 7-0 advantage in the top of the fifth as a Tennessee Tech error allowed Blackburn to score. APSU would tack on three insurance runs in the ninth to set the final score.

APSU Baseball's Patrick MassoniBlackburn, Copeland, Smithson, center fielder Patrick Massoni and Robles each had two hits to pace APSU’s 13-hit attack.

Tennessee Tech starter Chase Burkett (2-3) did not make it out of the third inning, Smithson’s RBI single ending his outing. He allowed six runs on eight hits in a losing outing. The Golden Eagles used five relievers after his departure, right-hander Marcus Evey striking out six batters in his 3.1 innings pitched.

Jones led Tennessee Tech’s eight-hit offensive outing with a 2-for-4, one RBI performance.

Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech continue their three-game OVC set with a 2:00pm, Saturday contest.

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