Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University baseball right fielder Parker Phillips hit his 50th career home run in Governors 8-3 nonconference victory against Jacksonville, Sunday afternoon, May 5ht, 2019 on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Phillips hit two home runs in the contest. His first of the day, and 49th career homer, provided the game’s first three runs in the first inning.
Two innings later, he tied his own single-season home run mark with his 19th blast – 50th career – to lead off the third and give the Govs a 4-0 lead.
Austin Peay (26-19) would add a run to its lead in the third when shortstop Garrett Kueber doubled and then scored on left fielder Aaron Campbell’s single. Catcher Alex Sala pushed the lead to 6-0 with a leadoff home run in the fourth.
Ryan Kouba (3-0), making his first start for the Governors, benefitted from the early support and provided four scoreless innings of his own, striking out three while scattering three hits and a walk. Austin Peay used four pitchers out of the bullpen, including closer Brett Newberg whose 96th career appearance set an Austin Peay mark.
Jacksonville (25-22) would break up the Govs shutout bid in the sixth when third baseman Angel Camacho was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Dolphins would get two more runs in the ninth on center fielder Ruben Someillan’s double.
Phillips went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI to lead the Govs offense. Campbell went 2-for-3 with three RBI, adding a two-run single in the eighth.
Jacksonville starter Austin Temple (3-3) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks over three innings.
Moment That Mattered
Picking between Phillips two home runs would be much like picking your favorite child, so we won’t. The Govs right fielder set the tone in the first inning with his three-run drive down the left field line. Two innings later he made sure the tone was set with a majestic leadoff shot in the third that was his 19th of 2019 and 50th of his career.
Water Cooler Chatter
Single Season Homer Mark
With his two home runs in Sunday’s finale – and three homers in the series against the Dolphins – Govs right fielder Parker Phillips tied his own single-season home run mark at 19. He will have two regular season weekends and the OVC Baseball Championship to break the mark.
Newberg Sets Appearance Mark
Reliever Brett Newberg made his 96th career appearance when he entered Sunday’s game in the eighth inning. He broke the Austin Peay record of 95 appearances set by Brad Daniel (2003-06). Newberg has made 20-plus appearances in each of his four seasons with the Govs.
Meanwhile In The Valley
Austin Peay stepped out of Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend and could only scoreboard watch to see where it would stand as co-leader Belmont and third-place Jacksonville State attempted to create space in the race. Belmont lost its three-game series to Southeast Missouri, 2-1, and fell percentage points behind Austin Peay (.667-.654).
Jacksonville State has split the first two games of its series at UT Martin – Game 3 is Monday afternoon – and can do no better than tie the Govs with a win.
Next Up For APSU Baseball
APSU Baseball begins a four-game road trip with a 5:00pm (CT), Tuesday, May 7th contest against nationally-ranked Tennessee in Knoxville.
