APSU Governors Baseball sweeps OVC doubleheader from Morehead State Eagles Saturday

APSU Sports: Austin Peay Baseball

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team used a combination of offensive power and pitching prowess to win both ends of an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader – 17-5 in Game 1 before winning the nightcap, 7-1 – against Morehead State, Saturday at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Delgado (6-4) surrendered one more run in the third but did not surrender another run in his seven-inning outing. He picked up his team-leading sixth win by holding the Eagles to three runs on four hits and five walks over seven innings.

Austin Peay broke the game open with three runs in the sixth, two in the seventh and then seven in the eighth. Designated hitter Jon Clinard had a two-run double in the sixth before first baseman Tyler Childress added a two-run home run in the seventh.  The Govs batted around in their seven-run eighth, Clinard posting another two-run double to cap the outburst.

The first five hitters in the Govs order posted 16 of the team’s 18 hits in the contest. Clinard finished the day 4-for-5 with two doubles and four RBI. Center fielder Michael Blanchard also had four hits.

Morehead state starter Noah Smallwood suffered the loss after allowing eight runs on nine hits through six innings. Right fielder Luke Bainer’s two-run home run in the first gave Morehead State its first – albeit brief – lead of the series and he finished the opener 1-for-4 with two RBI.

The second game opened as a pitcher’s duel for two innings, but Austin Peay used a sacrifice fly from Harper followed by third baseman Greg Bachman’s three-run home run to take a 4-0 lead after three innings.

The Govs tacked on two more runs in the fourth and added a run in the eighth to build a 7-0 lead. Blanchard’s bases-loaded walk and Clinard’s sacrifice fly accounted for the fourth’s scoring. Bachman brought home the game’s seventh run with a single in the eighth.

Morehead State (25-24, 10-14 OVC) broke up the Govs shutout bid on third baseman Andrew Deeds RBI single in the ninth off APSU closer Tyler Rogers.

Austin Peay starter Andy Cox (4-1), pitching on three day’s rest after a Tuesday start against Lipscomb, held Morehead State scoreless through six innings, allowing three hits and striking out six. It was the second win of the week for the senior right-hander who held the Bisons to one run and five hits in his earlier start.

Bachman led the Govs with a 2-for-4, four RBI performance in the second game. Hankins and left fielder Cody Hudson each had two hits as Austin Peay posted 10 hits in the win.

Eagles starter Matt Robertson (1-4) suffered the Game 2 loss after allowing six runs on four hits and four walks over three-plus innings. Deeds finished the game 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Austin Peay returns to action when it travels to Belmont for a 6:00pm, Tuesday contest. The Govs then close out the regular-season portion of their schedule when they travel to Tennessee Tech for a three-game OVC series, beginning with a 6:00pm Thursday contest.

Notes

Jon Clinard became the 13th Govs hitter to record 200 career hits with his third-inning single in Game 2. Greg Bachman’s three-run home run in the third inning of Game 2 was his 30th career home run, he also finished the day with 247 career hits moving into 2nd all-time in that category.

Clinard and Bachman were among 11 Governors seniors recognized prior to the start of Game 2. Austin Peay’s series sweep of Morehead State was their third in OVC action this season – they opened OVC play with series sweeps at Southeast Missouri and against UT Martin.

The Govs finish the day with a one-game lead over Eastern Kentucky for the league lead – Eastern Kentucky concludes its OVC series with Tennessee Tech, Sunday.

Box Score – Game 1

Morehead State at Austin Peay
May 12th, 2012 at Clarksville, TN (Raymond C. Hand Park)

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
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Morehead State...... 201 000 020 -  5  7  5
Austin Peay......... 320 003 27X - 17 18  1
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Box Score – Game 2

Morehead State at Austin Peay
May 12th, 2012 at Clarksville, TN (Raymond C. Hand Park)

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Morehead State...... 000 000 001 -  1  5  0
Austin Peay......... 004 200 01X -  7 10  0
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