APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team junior starter Josh Rye took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and the Governors notched a come-from-behind 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Morehead State, Friday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.
The opener turned into a bona fide pitcher’s duel through six innings as Rye and Morehead State starter Aaron Leasher put plenty of zeroes on the board. Rye held the advantage in the duel as he kept the Eagles hitless through 5.1 innings.
The Eagles posted the game’s first run in the seventh when designated hitter Michael Patrick rifled a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left for a solo home run and the 1-0 lead.
Austin Peay (18-18, 9-10 OVC) wasted no time erasing the lead when designated hitter Brett Newberg took a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left center for a leadoff home run. The Govs kept the offense churning as right fielder Chase Hamilton walked after the home run followed by back-to-back two-out doubles from second baseman Garrett Giovannelli and left fielder Malcolm Tipler that extended the lead to 3-1.
Junior lefty Zach Neff (1-1) closed out the seventh for Rye and stayed on board to toss two more scoreless frames to pick up the win. He would work around a Govs defensive miscue in the eighth to strand two runners in scoring position. The Eagles threatened again in the ninth with a pair of base hits, but Neff induced an inning-ending ground out to finish the game.
Rye was left with no decision despite limiting Morehead State to one run on three hits over his 6.2 innings. He struck out a career-high seven of the 26 batters he faced.
Giovannelli extended his hit streak to eight games with a 2-for-4 effort that included his double. Hamilton also had a 2-for-3 outing as the Govs finished with seven hits.
Leasher (6-2) was the Eagles hard-luck loser after holding the Govs to three runs on six hits over his 6.2 frames. Patrick had the lone RBI in his 1-for-4 effort as Morehead State was held to five hits.
Who Governed
Rye twirled 5.1 hitless innings, striking out a career-high seven batters in the process. After hitting a batter in the first inning, he retired 12 consecutive batters which carried him into the sixth inning. Rye would surrender a one-out double in the sixth, but stranded the runner on base to keep the shutout alive.
He would surrender the game’s first run on a solo home run with two out in the seventh and lasted just one batter more.
Silver Linings
Long Ball Liftoff
For the seventh consecutive game a Governors batter hit a home run. Sophomore Brett Newberg hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh. It was his third home run this season and the Govs 56th home run.
Double Your Pleasure
After Newberg’s home run, the Govs warmed up their doubles machine with second baseman Garrett Giovannelli and left fielder Malcolm Tipler hitting back-to-back two baggers. Each double drove in a run as the Govs extended their lead to 3-1.
Bullpen Locks It Down
Reliever Zach Neff came on behind Rye and shut the door allowing just three hits in the final 2.1 scoreless innings. It was the lefty’s first victory this season after the Govs posted the come-from-behind win.
Up Next for APSU Baseball
Austin Peay and Morehead State will play Game 2 of the series Friday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.
