APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team fell behind early and could not recover, dropping a 9-0 nonconference decision to Middle Tennessee, Tuesday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Middle Tennessee (9-8) jumped out a quick lead when it sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring six runs. Left fielder Blake Benefield had a two-run double and catcher Jake Hagenow added a two-run single to help build the 6-0 lead.
Austin Peay (10-7) saw its bullpen enter the game in the first inning and rally to keep the Blue Raiders largely in check through the final eight innings.
Greg Leban entered with two outs in the first inning and provided 3.2 innings of scoreless relief, before allowing a home run in the fifth. Kyle Wilson, Ross Walker and Ethan Clark followed Leban to finish the contest, allowing just one run between them.
The Governors offense could not solve the Middle Tennessee pitching staff, particularly starter Grant Williams (2-1) who tossed six scoreless innings while scattering three hits and five walks while striking out six batters. Three other Blue Raiders pitchers each tossed a scoreless inning to complete the shutout.
Catcher David Martinez had a third-inning double in his 1-for-3 outing. Second baseman Malcolm Tipler, third baseman Max Remy and pinch hitter Brett Newberg each had a hit in the Govs four-hit outing.
First baseman Brett Stratinsky paced the Blue Raiders with a 2-for-4, three RBI outing that included a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
Who Governed: Imani Willis
Willis again had an impressive all around day. While he was held without a hit, he walked in his first two plate appearances, helping to give the Govs a pair of early scoring chances. Willis also had two defensive gems in the contest. He made a diving catch of a short pop fly to end the second inning. Four innings later, he went to the deepest part of the park and made a catch at the wall in the sixth inning.
Govs Notably
Still Streaking
Garrett Kueber (third inning walk) extended his reached base safely streak to 17 games in Tuesday’s loss. Shortstop Garrett Giovannelli saw his 23-game reaching base safely streak that dates back to last season put on hold as he was held out of the contest. In addition, Imani Willis extended his reached base safely streak to 13 games.
Keep On Walking
Despite being held to four hits, Austin Peay batters earned six walks – the ninth time this season they have earned six or more walks in a contest. The Governors have earned 102 walks in their first 17 games – an average of six walks per game. That puts the 2018 team ahead of the pace set by the 1989 Governors, who finished with a program-record 317 walks (5.47 per game).
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
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 continues its four-game homestand when it hosts Murray State in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series, beginning with a 6:00pm, Friday contest that marks the spring resumption of the Heritage Bank Battle of the Border between the two athletics departments.
