Govs offense largely silent for second straight game, loses at Arkansas State

APSU Men’s Baseball

Jonesboro, AR – Austin Peay’s baseball team saw its offense struggle for the second consecutive game in a 11-2 loss to Arkansas State, Friday night, at Tomlinson Stadium.

Austin Peay (7-5) was held to two runs on four hits for the second consecutive game. The Govs had just three base runners in the first five innings off Arkansas State starter Andy Ferguson. Austin Peay was able to get a leadoff walk by left fielder Cody Hudson in the fourth and turn it into their first run on right fielder Rolando Gautier’s single two outs later.

Things didn’t get better once Ferguson left the game as reliever Daniel Wright retired nine of the first 11 batters he faced. He got into trouble in the eighth, allowing three of the first four batters he faced to reach base before leaving. First baseman John Hogan pushed home a run with a sacrifice fly but that was the last run the Govs would score.

Arkansas State (7-8) had no such offensive troubles, posting season highs in runs (11) and hits (12) in the victory. The Red Wolves scored two runs in first and – after the Govs run in the fourth – scored two more in the fifth. A four-run seventh and three-run eighth provided insurance runs.

Starter Zach Toney (1-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He was one of six Austin Peay pitchers to take the mound.

Gautier finished 1-for-4 with an RBI to extend his hit streak to 11 games.

ASU’s Ferguson (2-1) picked up the victory while limiting the Govs to one run on two hits while striking out seven over five innings.

Arkansas State Center fielder Todd Baumgartner led his team’s offensive effort with a 5-for-5 outing. Left fielder Michael George benefited from Baumgartner’s effort, going 1-for-4 with three RBI.

Austin Peay and Arkansas State return to the field for a 4:00pm, Saturday contest – the second game of their three game series.