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HomeSportsAPSU Baseball rallies to beat Murray State, 8-7

APSU Baseball rallies to beat Murray State, 8-7

APSU Sports Information

APSU BaseballClarksville, TN – Left fielder Kyle Wilson‘s two-run single helped Austin Peay State University’s baseball team take the lead for good as it rallied from an early deficit to defeat Murray State, 8-7, in Ohio Valley Conference action at Raymond C. Hand Park. With the win, the Governors clinched the three-game OVC series with the 1:00pm, Sunday finale remaining.  

Austin Peay (12-7, 4-1 OVC) trailed 4-2 entering its half of the third inning. The Governors used a leadoff walk and three consecutive hits to take the lead.

Austin Peay Baseball defeats Murray State 8-7 at Raymond C. Hand Park, Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball defeats Murray State 8-7 at Raymond C. Hand Park, Saturday. (APSU Sports Information)

Third baseman Malcolm Tipler doubled off the wall to drive in the inning’s first run. Wilson followed and laced a single over the third baseman’s head, allowing two runs to score for a 5-4 lead.

The Governors extended their lead in the fifth when the first three batters reached base to load the bases.

Right fielder Aaron Campbell’s infield single added a run before Tipler scored while the Racers turned a double play, giving the Govs a 7-4 lead.

After the team’s traded runs in the sixth, Murray State (10-9, 2-3 OVC) narrowed the deficit courtesy center fielder Gavin Wehby’s two-run home run. However, Govs reliever Harley Gollert would retire the final five batters to end the contest.

Govs starter Jacques Pucheu (3-0) won his second straight start after allowing five runs (two earned) in his 5.1 innings, striking out seven. Gollert picked up his season’s second save with six strikeouts over the final 3.2 innings with only two runs allowed on one hit.

Wilson went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a walk, providing the Govs their only multi-RBI outing. Designated hitter Bobby Head added a 2-for-4 outing that included a run-scoring double in the second. Second baseman Garrett Giovannelli added a 2-for-5 outing, scoring twice.

Murray State starter Blake Clynes (1-1) suffered his season’s first loss after surrendering five runs on four hits and four walks in 2.1 innings. Wehby and third baseman David Sims each had a two-run home run, Wehby going 3-for-4 at the plate.

Who Governed: Kyle Wilson

Making his first start in left field and second outfield start this season, Wilson posted his second straight two-hit performance of the season. His two-run single in the third gave the Govs the lead for good. He also had a single in the fifth inning and a walk in the seventh frame.

Wilson, who also went 2-for-3 in Friday’s opener, has reached base in five of his eight plate appearances in the series.

Govs Notably

Still Streaking
Making his second straight start in the leadoff spot, second baseman Garrett Giovannelli, went 2-for-5 at the plate to extend his reached base safely streak to 25 games dating back to last season. Shortstop Garrett Kueber walked in the first inning and has reached base safely in all 19 games this season.

13-K Day
Following a 15-strikeout day by a trio of Governors pitchers in the opener, Pucheu and Gollert combined for a 13-strikeout outing in Saturday’s win. It is the fourth weekend out of five this season the Govs pitching staff has struck out 27 or more batters.

Keep On Walking
Austin Peay’s offense earned seven walks (by seven different batters) in Saturday’s win. It is the 10th time this season the Govs have notched six or more walks in a contest, they have averaged six walks per game this season (114 in 19 games).

Winning Weekends
With the win, Austin Peay improved to 12-2 in weekend play. It also secured the Govs a weekend series victory for the fifth consecutive weekend.

Up Next for APSU Baseball

Austin Peay will look to claim its third three-game sweep of 2018 when it laces up against Murray State in a 1:00pm, Sunday series finale. The Governors will hand the ball to left-hander Josh Rye (0-2), who will make his second straight Sunday start. Murray State will counter with right-hander Jake Jones (1-0).

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