APSU Sports Information
Terre Haute, IN – Starting pitcher Brandon Vial surrendered just three runs over five-plus innings, but the Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team saw its offense held to four hits in an 8-1 loss to Indiana State, Friday afternoon at Bob Warn Field.
A pitcher’s duel quickly developed between Vial and Indiana State starter Tristan Polley with neither starter allowing a run through the first three innings.
Indiana State (8-1) broke through first, using a pair of doubles in the fourth inning to score twice. Right fielder Roby Enriquez led off the frame with a double and scored on designated hitter Joe Boyle’s one-out double for the game’s first run. Left fielder CJ Huntley would tack on a second run with a sacrifice fly.
Austin Peay (3-5) would not let the Sycamores’ outburst go unanswered. Right fielder Aaron Campbell led off the fifth with an infield single. He would score on third baseman Gino Avros’ ground out that also pushed shortstop Bobby Head into scoring position. But Polley got another ground out to end the threat with a 2-1 lead.
The Sycamores would tack on a critical insurance run in the sixth when Huntley drove in a run with a single. Two innings later, Indiana State broke the game open with third baseman Jake Means’ grand slam capping a five-run burst that set the final score.
Polley (2-0) kept Austin Peay at bay en route to the win scattering three hits while recording 13 ground outs and eight strikeouts from the 28 batters he faced in eight innings of work.
Vial (0-1) allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out five of the 24 batters he faced over five innings but suffered the loss.
Austin Peay’s four hits were divided between catcher David Martinez, Campbell, center fielder Garrett Spain and pinch hitter Griffin Rivers.
Moment That Mattered
The Govs lone run came courtesy a touch of good fortune in the fifth. Right fielder Aaron Campbell led off the frame and pounded the ground into the turf in front of the mound. The ball had enough English on it that it eluded pitcher Tristan Polley by reversing direction, allowing Campbell to reach on an infield single.
A walk and a fielder’s choice later, third baseman Gino Avros’ slow grounder to short allowed Campbell to score the Govs lone run.
Water Cooler Notes
Another Strong Start
Brandon Vial held Indiana State to three runs over his 5.1 innings of work. It is the sixth time in the season’s first eight games that an Austin Peay starter has held the opposition to three or fewer runs in a start that lasted at least four innings.
Sophomore transfer Griffin Rivers tough start to 2019 was abated when he smoked a ground ball that beat the Indiana State shortstop in the ninth inning for his first hit as a Governor.
Martinez Hit Streak Continues
Catcher David Martinez ran his hit streak to a career-best six games with a single in the seventh inning. He leads the Govs with a .435 batting average after Friday’s contest and is one of only two Govs with double-digit hits in the first eight games – freshman Garrett Spain is the other with 12 base knocks.Indiana State posted 13 hits in the win, Dungan, and Enriques each ending the game with three hits.
Next Up For APSU Baseball
Austin Peay and Indiana State resume the three-game series with a noon (CT), Saturday contest at Bob Warn Field.
