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HomeSportsAPSU Softball loses to late Middle Tennessee surge, 3-2

APSU Softball loses to late Middle Tennessee surge, 3-2

APSU Sports Information

APSU SoftballMurfreesboro, TN – Austin Peay State University’s softball team dropped a one-run heartbreaker to Middle Tennessee State University, Monday afternoon at Blue Raiders Softball Field, as the Govs saw MTSU escape with a late-inning 3-2 win.

The Govs (20-10) had broken open a scoreless pitcher’s duel with two runs in the top of the fifth inning, starting with Carly Matson hitting the first pitch of the inning out over the right-center field fence for her fifth home run of the year, to make it 1-0.

Middle Tennessee scores three runs in the bottom of the six for 3-2 win over Austin Peay Softball, Monday. (APSU Sports Information)
Middle Tennessee scores three runs in the bottom of the six for 3-2 win over Austin Peay Softball, Monday. (APSU Sports Information)

Emily Harkleroad, who reached on a hit-by-pitch, would score three batters later on an error by the Blue Raiders (24-12) second baseman.

Natalie Schilling, Morgan Rackel, Emily Shorter and Brooke Pfefferle had the other Govs hits in the contest.

But for one of the few times this season, the Govs couldn’t make the lead hold up, with MTSU collecting three of their five total hits in the game in the bottom of the sixth inning – along with one walk – to push across three runs to take the lead.

The Govs continue their quest versus in-state opponents, 5:00pm (CT), on Wednesday, as they travel to East Tennessee for a single game at Tennessee Chattanooga.

Follow the Govs softball team on Austin Peay’s official athletics website Let’sGoPeay.com or on Twitter @AustinPeaySB for more information or updates.

Inside the Box Score

Carly Mattson‘s home run was her the 19th of her career, moving her out of a tie with teammate Kacy Acree for eighth-place all-time in program history.

Natalie Schilling was thrown out on a stolen base attempt for the first time this season, ending a school-record run of 22 straight stolen bases.

The loss was the first loss this season when the Govs were leading after five innings (16-1).

Govs had runners on base in every inning but the seventh.

Coaching Quotables with Head Coach Rodney DeLong

On game slipping away late
“That sixth inning, I don’t care what the box score says they didn’t hit a ball out of the infield and we made errors and beat ourselves. We played good enough to win until the sixth and that’s why you have to play a complete game against good teams.”

On putting loss behind them and moving forward
“That’s the life of the sport, you have to put it behind you and move on to the next game and the next pitch. We will do that, we’ll play better Wednesday, and get ready for a big home conference series this weekend.”

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