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HomeSportsAPSU Baseball roars back from seven runs down to defeat Western Kentucky

APSU Baseball roars back from seven runs down to defeat Western Kentucky

APSU BaseballClarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball shortstop Garrett Kueber had five hits and five RBI as the Governors come back from a seven-run deficit to secure a 20-12 nonconference victory against Western Kentucky, Tuesday night, on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay Baseball shortstop Garrett Kueber fuels Governors comeback with five hits and five RBIs against Western Kentucky Tuesday night. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball shortstop Garrett Kueber fuels Governors comeback with five hits and five RBIs against Western Kentucky Tuesday night. (APSU Sports Information)

Austin Peay (30-20) faced a 10-3 deficit entering its half of the fourth inning and promptly sent 12 men to the plate, scoring six runs.

Kueber and third baseman Gino Avros each had run-scoring hits and left fielder Aaron Campbell had a two-run double in the frame as the Govs closed to within a run, 10-9.

One inning later, the Governors trailed by three runs but rallied to tie the game. Center fielder Garrett Spain and Campbell provided the back-to-back run-scoring hits to tie the game, 12-12.

Austin Peay would finally grab the lead in the sixth when second baseman Malcolm Tipler led off the inning with a home run to right field. It was the first of eight unanswered runs by the APSU offense to close the game.

Western Kentucky (24-25-1) used the long ball to build its seven-run lead. First baseman Matt Phipps hit a three-run home run in the first and a two-run home run in the third inning. Designated hitter Richard Constantine and center fielder Jackson Swiney hit back-to-back home runs to open the fourth as the WKU advantage hit 10-3. Swiney then would hit a two-run shot in the fifth to hold off the Govs momentarily, 12-9.

However, the Governors bullpen would settle in over the final four innings, holding the Hilltoppers scoreless. Relievers Sebastian Martinez, Luke Brown, Brandon Vial, and Devin O’Donovan combined to retire 12 consecutive batters, seven by strikeout.

Sebastian Martinez (1-2) notched his first collegiate victory after striking out four of the eight batters he faced in two innings of work.

Kueber went 5-for-6 with five RBI and four runs scored, including a solo home run in the first inning. Campbell continued his recent hot streak with a 4-for-5, four RBI outing. Avros went 3-for-6 with three RBI, including a run-scoring double in the sixth.

WKU reliever Maddex Richardson (0-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing two runs on five hits in 1.2 innings of work.

Phillips led the HIlltoppers with a 3-for-5, five RBI outing. Swiney was 3-for-4 with four RBI and four runs scored.

 

Next Up For APSU Baseball

APSU Baseball now turns its attention to its Ohio Valley Conference series against Jacksonville State, scheduled to start with a 6:00pm, Thursday, May 16th contest. The winner-take-all series will determine the league’s regular-season champion and No. 1 seed in the upcoming OVC Baseball Championship.

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