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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University blanked by Jacksonville State

Austin Peay State University blanked by Jacksonville State

APSU Sports Information

APSU BaseballOxford, AL – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team could not finish a sweep of its Ohio Valley Conference-opening series against Jacksonville State, dropping a 13-0 decision, Sunday at Choccolocco Park.

Austin Peay (10-6, 2-1 OVC) had trouble solving Jacksonville State starting pitcher Colton Pate, who scattered four hits and two walks in his six innings.

Austin Peay Baseball falls to Jacksonville State 13-0 Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball falls to Jacksonville State 13-0 Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)

The Governors biggest threat came in the eighth inning against reliever Austin Brewster when they loaded the bases with no outs.

However, JSU closer Trent Simpson entered the game, struck out a batter and induced a double play to end the threat.

Jacksonville State (10-5, 1-2 OVC) saw its offense break out for 18 hits in the win, including six doubles and a home run. After being held off the board in the first two frames, the Gamecocks scored in each of their final six innings.

The Gamecocks broke the game open in the fourth with three of those doubles, center fielder Taylor Hawthorne driving in a pair of runs with his two-bagger and first baseman Andrew Naismith tacked on the inning’s fourth run with his double for a 5-0 lead.

Governors starter Josh Rye (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing one run on four hits in 2.2 innings. Austin Peay used six pitchers in the contest, all but one surrendering a run.

Center fielder Imani Willis and right fielder Nick Walker each went 2-for-3 to pace Austin Peay’s seven-hit outing.

Simpson led Jacksonville State with a 2-for-4, five RBI outing that saw him add a three-run home run in the eighth inning. Shortstop Isaac Alexander added a 4-for-6 outing at the plate.

Pate (3-1) picked up the win with six scoreless innings of work, striking out eight of the 24 Governors he would face, allowing four hits and three walks.

Who Governed: Imani Willis

In a day with few highlights, center fielder Imani Willis provided a couple of bursts of excitement. He singled with one out in the third inning to give the Govs an early opportunity to break through. Willis then doubled in the seventh, one of the Govs two extra-base hits, and was caught out attempting to advance to third on a wild pitch as the Govs searched for a run.

Govs Notably

Still Streaking
Garrett Giovannelli (1-for-3) and Garrett Kueber (1-for-4) each extended their reached base safely streaks in Sunday’s loss, though Kueber needed a last at-bat single to extend his streak. Both the Govs middle infielders have now reached base in all 16 games this season. Giovannelli now owns a 23-game reaching base safely streak that dates back to last season.

Shutout
The Governors suffered their first shutout of 2018 with Sunday’s loss. It was Austin Peay’s first shutout since April 1st, 2017 when they were blanked by Southeast Missouri, 10-0, in Cape Girardeau.

The Suite Life

Fans interested in more information or renting an Austin Peay-themed boxLIFE suite for the season, a weekend or a game should complete the online form available at LetsGoPeay.com or contact Mike Minyard, Associate Athletics Director at minyardm@apsu.edu. Suites may be rented each weekend series ($1,000 per weekend) or on a single-game basis.

Up Next for APSU Baseball

Austin Peay returns Clarksville to start a four-game homestand with a 6:00pm, Tuesday contest against Middle Tennessee. The Governors then host Murray State in a three-game OVC set scheduled to start with a 6:00pm, Friday contest.

Ticket Information

Single-game, flex, season and boxLife Suite tickets for Austin Peay baseball are available by calling the Governors Athletics Ticket office at 931.221.PEAY [7329] or online at LetsGoPeay.com/SportTix

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