APSU Men’s Baseball
Clarksville, TN – Left fielder Cody Hudson’s soft liner in the 11th inning sailed just high enough to get over the drawn-in infield and Austin Peay’s baseball team won a wild 11-10 non-conference tilt against Valparaiso, Saturday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Trailing 7-4 entering the eighth, Austin Peay (2-0) showed that patience at the plate pays off. Valparaiso (0-2) used four pitchers in the inning and issued six walks to the 11 batters they faced. Consecutive bases-loaded walks issued to shortstop Reed Harper and first baseman John Hogan gave the Govs their first lead. Following the back-to-back walks, designated hitter Tyler Childress added to the lead as he ripped the first pitch he saw to left field, scoring two more runs and giving the Govs a 10-7 lead.
After allowing opportunity to slip by in the bottom of the ninth, the Govs took advantage of an 11th-inning opportunity. Catcher P.J. Torres opened the inning with a walk. Outfielder Rolando Gautier then laced a single down the first-base line and through the first baseman’s legs, allowing Torres to reach third base. The Crusaders intentionally walk to outfielder Michael Blanchard, setting up Hudson’s game-winning hit.
The late heroics spoiled an impressive early-inning effort from Valparaiso. Starter Damon McCormick kept the Govs in check, allowing just four runs on 11 hits over seven innings. He received plenty of run support as the Crusaders scored seven times in the first six innings, including four runs on six consecutive hits in the fourth and two more runs in the sixth.
However, when Valparaiso turned to its bullpen things fell apart. The Crusaders used four pitchers who, over the final three-plus innings, combined to surrender seven runs on three hits and nine walks.
Gautier went 5-for-6 with two doubles in his first turn in the Govs lineup. Hankins, who had four hits Friday, went 3-for-5, Saturday.
Hebert (1-0) picked up the victory after allowing one run over the final 2.2 innings. Starter Jack Snodgrass surrendered one run on two hits over the first four innings before being pulled due to an elevated pitch count.
Cyrus Wimberly (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing the one unearned run in the 11th. Center fielder Chris Manning and third baseman Michael Morman each had three hits. Gaedele went 2-for-4 with 4 RBI.
Austin Peay and Valparaiso will close their three-game series with a noon contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.
