Govs unable to hold leads in loss to Blue Raiders

APSU Men’s Baseball

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay led twice in Wednesday’s contest against Middle Tennessee but surrendered the lead both times, ultimately losing a 9-6 decision at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay (10-12) led 3-1 after the first and 5-3 after the fourth. The Govs first inning three-run burst came courtesy third baseman Greg Bachman’s RBI double followed by first baseman John Hogan’s two-run home run.

After Middle Tennessee (6-17) tied the game at 3-3 in the third, Austin Peay took advantage of a hit batsman and three straight walks to score two more runs in the fourth. Another Govs run in the fifth came after back-to-back walks to lead off the inning followed by a passed ball and an error.

However, the Govs offense went largely silent after the fifth inning, as Blue Raiders reliever Jud Stoltz retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced over the final four innings.

Middle Tennessee took the lead in the sixth – scoring three runs with two outs. Right fielder Matthew Drake’s RBI single provided the eventual game-winning run. The Blue Raiders added an insurance run later in the inning and another run in the ninth to secure the win and snap a seven-game losing streak.

APSU reliever Lucas Anderson (0-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing three runs over two-thirds of an inning in the sixth inning. Only reliever Mike Hebert – the fifth of six APSU pitchers – went unscathed, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings.

Hunter Dawson (3-1) picked up the win after allowing a one run on five walks in 1.2 innings. Stoltz picked up his season’s second save.

Austin Peay continues its five-game homestand when it hosts Eastern Illinois in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series, beginning with a 1:00pm, Saturday doubleheader.