Austin Peay (16-18, 8-10 OVC) vs. Western Kentucky (12-29, 4-14 CUSA)
Tuesday, April 25th, 2017 | 6:00pm CT
Clarksville, TN | Raymond C. Hand Park
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team wraps up its three-game homestand when it hosts Western Kentucky in a 6:00pm, Tuesday contest at Raymond C. Hand Field.
Austin Peay and Western Kentucky will meet for the 157th time, Tuesday, in a series that dates back to 1933.
The Govs won the season’s first meeting between the two squads, 7-3, last Wednesday.
It was APSU’s second consecutive win in the series, but WKU has won 10 of the last 14 meetings dating back to 2009.
Probable Starters
APSU: RHP Tyler Thompson (0-1, 12.33 ERA)
WKU: TBA
First Hacks
Redshirt junior Cayce Bredlau has reached safely in nine consecutive games (.429 OBP) but is currently day-to-day after suffering an upper body injury during the Eastern Kentucky series finale.
Junior second baseman Garrett Giovannelli has a nine-game hit streak (16-for-36, .444 BA, 9 BB, .556 OBP) since moving into the leadoff spot against Belmont.
Senior first baseman Dre Gleason was one of 40 players named to USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award Watch List, April 12th. Gleason is battling through a mini-slump over the past four games (6-for-27, .211) that has dropped his average below .400 for the first time this season.
Senior right fielder Chase Hamilton has had a multi-hit outing in six of his last 10 games (13-for-42, .309, 3 2B, 3 HR). Sophomore Brett Newberg has started two of the Govs last three games at designated hitter and has an extra-base hit in each game, including a game-tying solo home run in Friday’s contest against Morehead State.
Redshirt freshman Parker Phillips was hit by a pitch three times against Morehead State and now has an OVC-leading 16 HBPs this season (8th in Division I). Redshirt freshman utility man Max Remy has started one game and come off the bench three times in the Govs last five outings.
Senior utility man Alex Robles was held hitless in the weather-shortened Morehead State series, but walked twice and stole a base in Friday’s series opener. Sophomore catcher Alex Sala came off the bench in Friday’s second game and provided a pinch-hit RBI single.
Freshman Malcolm Tipler has started the last three games in left field for the injured Bredlau and is 3-for-12 with 2 RBI in those contests. Junior center fielder Imani Willis brings a four-game hit streak (6-for-12, .500, 2 2B, HR) into the midweek affair against WKU. Junior shortstop Kyle Wilson has a base hit in four of the Govs last six games.
Power Performance
The Govs slipped to No. 6 in home runs per game (1.51) among Division I teams, they are ranked third among OVC teams (behind Tennessee Tech and Morehead State). They also remain ranked eighth in total home runs (56), 14th in slugging percentage (.486) and are now ranked 17th in doubles per game (2.19).
Freshman Tyler Hubbard became the 13th different Govs batter to hit a home run in 2017, breaking the program record for most players with a home run in a season. Austin Peay’s 56 home runs ranks 10th most in program history with 16 regular-season games remaining.
The next spots up the list are: 57 (2015); 59 (2000), 60 (1998) and 61 (1992 and 2012). The Govs record pace is 1.25 home runs per game set in 1999 (70 HR/56 GP). APSU hit a Raymond C. Hand Park record six home runs against Tennessee Tech, March 25th.
Toeing The Rubber
APSU pitchers continue their torrid strikeout pace, racking up 309 Ks through 334.1 innings this season. Their 8.31 strikeout rate would be just the third time in program history a Govs pitching staff has averaged more than 8 strikeouts per nine innings and ranks 78th nationally.
Up Next for APSU Baseball
The Govs begin a four-game road trip with a three-game Ohio Valley Conference set against a surging UT Martin squad. The Govs and Skyhawks enter the weekend separated by one game in the league standings, with UT Martin winning its last six OVC contests.
Follow APSU Baseball
For additional coverage of Austin Peay’s baseball team, follow the Govs on Twitter @AustinPeayBSB. Austin Peay’s athletics department also maintains several social media accounts @LetsGoPeay (Twitter), /LetsGoPeay (Facebook) and /LetsGoPeay (Instagram)