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HomeSportsAPSU Baseball rally comes up short in 7-6 loss to Morehead State

APSU Baseball rally comes up short in 7-6 loss to Morehead State

APSU Sports Information

APSU BaseballMorehead, KY – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team rallied from a four-run deficit to tie the game in the seventh inning but could not fend off a late Morehead State rally in a 7-6 Ohio Valley Conference loss, Sunday afternoon at Allen Field.

Austin Peay (23-17, 13-8 OVC) trailed 6-2 entering the seventh inning as Morehead State starter Kyle Cantu entered the frame after tossing five consecutive scoreless innings.

Austin Peay Baseball hits three home runs in loss to Morehead State, Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball hits three home runs in loss to Morehead State, Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)

Catcher Alex Sala led off the seventh with a double and center fielder Imani Willis followed with a home run to halve the deficit.

Two batters later, the Eagles had turned to its bullpen in Cory Conway. The Governors saw first baseman Parker Phillips extend the inning with a two-strike, two-out single. Left fielder Nick Walker followed with a two-run home run to right, tying the game, 6-6.

Morehead State (25-16, 12-6 OVC) opened its half of the seventh with a leadoff single against Govs reliever Harley Gollert, who picked up two outs from the next two batters he faced. However, Gollert couldn’t get the third out as Eagles left fielder Nico Hulsizer and second baseman Braxton Morris hit back-to-back singles to drive in the go-ahead run.

The Governors were able to put the tying run on base with one in the ninth inning as pinch hitter John McDonald reached base on a wild pitch. However, Conway retired the next two batters he faced to end the threat.

Conway (5-2) secured the win after allowing two runs on three hits in the final three innings, striking out five batters. Cantu was left with no decision after allowing four runs on seven hits in six-plus innings.

Gollert (3-2) was handed the loss after allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in his three innings of work, striking out four.

Morris, who supplied the game-winning RBI, went 4-for-5 with two RBI to pace the Eagles offense. Eight of the MSU hitters had a base hit in the game, Morris and four others posting multi-hit days.

Phillips went 3-for-4 with two RBI, including a two-run home run in the first inning. Giovannelli and Walker each had two hits in the Govs 10-hit outing.

Govs Notably

The Great GIO
Second baseman Garrett Giovannelli enjoyed the Govs trip to Morehead State. He finished the three-game set 9-for-15 (.600) at the plate with four doubles, six runs scored and two stolen bases.

Phillips Stays Hot
First baseman Parker Phillips hit his second home run of the Morehead State trip in Sunday’s finale. He was 6-for-12 (.500) with five RBI and notched a 1.000 slugging percentage. Phillips also walked twice and was hit by a pitch twice (.625 on-base percentage).

Walker Crushes
Nick Walker
, who started in left field in all three games of the set, seemed to find his stroke at Allen Field. He hit a home run in all three games of the series as part of a 5-for-14 (.357), seven RBI weekend at the plate.

A Word About Yard Work
As spring has sprung the Governors have taken to getting their yard work done. Since April’s start Austin Peay has hit 23 home runs in 12 games – the bulk of its 36 home runs this season. First baseman Parker Phillips has seven homers in April, one of nine APSU hitters with a homer.  

Up Next APSU Baseball

Austin Peay closes out its four-game road trip with a 6:00pm, Tuesday contest against Middle Tennessee. The Governors will look to even the season series with the Blue Raiders, who won a 9-0 decision in Clarksville earlier this season.

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