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HomeSportsAPSU Baseball gets 9-3 win over South Dakota State

APSU Baseball gets 9-3 win over South Dakota State

APSU Sports Information

APSU BaseballSauget, IL – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team took advantage of a drove of South Dakota State pitching miscues in the seventh inning to break open a close game and post a 9-3 victory, Saturday, at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.

Trailing 2-1 entering the seventh, Austin Peay (2-0) capitalized on five walks, three wild pitches, two passed balls and a mental miscue to score six runs in the seventh.

Austin Peay Baseball rallies in the seventh for 9-3 win over South Dakota State Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball rallies in the seventh for 9-3 win over South Dakota State Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)

Left fielder Brandon Kelley, who made his first APSU start, opened the inning with a bunt single and shortstop Garrett Kueber followed with a sacrifice bunt that SDSU mishandled, giving the Govs two runners to start the inning.

The duo executed a double steal before the first Jackrabbits passed ball allowed Kelley to score, tying the game. After second baseman Garrett Giovannelli walked, a wild pitch allowed Kueber to score, giving the Govs a 3-2 lead. Giovannelli would later score on catcher David Martinez‘ sacrifice fly to provide the game-securing run.

The game was a pitcher’s duel through six innings. Austin Peay starter Jacques Pucheu allowed a one-out home run in the first inning but then retired the next 11 batters he faced before allowing a leadoff single in the sixth that eventually scored. SDSU starter Brady Moxham dodged in and out of trouble, including the Govs loading the bases in the first, through his five innings, but held the Govs to one run on four hits.

Govs reliever Greg Leban (1-0) picked up the win in his debut, allowing one run while retiring three of the six batters he faced. Reliever Harley Gollert followed by retiring eight of the nine batters he faced to finish the game. Pucheu (nine strikeouts), Leban (three) and Gollert (two) combined for 14 strikeouts in 34 batters faced.

Offensively, Giovannelli paced the Govs with a 2-for-4 outing that saw him walk, steal two bases and scored three times. Outfielder Nick Walker also had two hits while designated hitter Andrew Flaherty and catcher David Martinez had two RBI each.

Otis Roby (0-1) suffered the loss for the Jackrabbits after allowing four runs (one earned) on a hit and two walks in 1.1 innings. The SDSU offense was held to three hits.

Who Governed: Jacques Pucheu

Pucheu was tagged for a home run by the second batter of the game but responded by retiring the next 11 batters he faced – seven by strikeout – to give the Govs an opportunity to level the score. He would allow an unearned run in the fifth but struck out the next two batters to end the frame. Pucheu went 5.1 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out nine of the 18 batters he faced, walking none.

Govs, Notably

Kelley The OBP Machine
Redshirt freshman Brandon Kelley made his first collegiate start and promptly reached base in each of his first five plate appearances before grounding out in his final at-bat. He ended the day 1-for-2 with two walks, was hit by a pitch and stole two bases, scoring once.

Another Double-Digit K Day
Pucheu, Leban and Gollert combined for 14 strikeouts, the second-straight day APSU pitching posted a double-digit strikeout total. Austin Peay struck out 24 Jackrabbits in their two game set.

Govs Do Run Run
Austin Peay broke out for six stolen bases in Saturday’s win. Giovannelli and Kelley each had two steals with Kueber and Walker added a steal a piece.

Kept In The Park
Through two games Austin Peay’s offense has recorded just two extra base hits – both Garrett Kueber doubles – in its 13 hits recorded.

Next Up

Austin Peay closes its stay in the St. Louis area with a 3:00pm, Sunday contest against Illinois. The Governors will turn to junior transfer Brandon Vial, a right-hander, while the Fighting Illini hands the ball to right-hander Cyrillo Watson.

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