Govs offense, bullpen struggle in loss at Arkansas State

APSU Men’s Baseball

Jonesboro, AR – Another quiet offensive night combined with a late bullpen flare up to send Austin Peay’s baseball team to a 6-1 loss at Arkansas State, Saturday afternoon, at Tomlinson Stadium.

Early on the game was a old-fashion pitcher’s duel with neither starter allowing a run through the first five innings. Austin Peay starter Jack Snodgrass held the Red Wolves hitless through five innings and faced two more than the minimum 15 batters at that point. Arkansas State starter Jacob Lee allowed three hits through five innings and faced just four more than the minimum.

Austin Peay (7-6) broke through first, scoring a run in the sixth. Shortstop Reed Harper led off the inning with a single and scored on second baseman Jordan Hankins double. However, that would be the only run the Govs would score as Lee and the ASU bullpen retired 12 of the next 13 batters they faced.

Arkansas State (8-8) found pay dirt in the seventh with a pair of one-out singles to start the rally. Snodgrass got the second out, but could not escape the threat as shortstop Zach Maggio hit a two-run single back up the middle, giving Arkansas State a 2-1 lead.

The Red Wolves feasted on the Govs bullpen to extend its lead in the eighth. Arkansas State’s first eight batters of the inning reached base, with a runner picked off first base accounting for the lone out in that span. Right fielder Ryan Emery had the inning’s big hit – a solo home run that was the inning’s third run. By the time the inning was over, ASU sent 10 men to the plate, scoring four times to build a 6-1 lead.

Snodgrass (0-1) continued his early-season hard luck, getting tagged for the loss after allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings.

Hankins finished 1-for-3 with a double and RBI. Right fielder Rolando Gautier extended his hit streak to 12 games with a 1-for-4 outing. Harper had the Govs only multi-hit outing, finishing 2-for-4.

Lee (1-2) picked up his season’s first victory after tossing 7.1 innings of one-run, six-hit baseball while striking out seven.  Maggio led Arkansas State’s 11-hit outing with a 2-for-3, two RBI effort.

Austin Peay will look to avoid being shutout in the three-game series when the teams meet for a 1:00pm, Sunday contest.