Michigan State vs. Austin Peay Governors
Fri-Sun, March 1st-3rd, 2013 | 3:00pm/1:00pm/1:00pm
Clarksville, TN | Raymond C. Hand Park (777)
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University concludes its seven-game home stand when it hosts Michigan State in a three-game weekend series, Friday-Saturday, at Raymond C. Hand Park .
The Govs are off to their best start since 1958 and bring a six-game win streak into the weekend set. Meanwhile, the Spartans will begin a eight-game roadtrip through the Mid-South after opening their season in South Carolina.
Austin Peay Governors
Austin Peay ran its win streak to six games with an 11-8 non-conference win against Southern Illinois, Tuesday. The Governors also have a five-game home win streak. Austin Peay’s 7-1 start is its best start since 1958 and the second best start in program history.
Junior first baseman Craig Massoni had 6 RBI in Tuesday’s win and is 5-of-6 with 9 RBI in his last two games. Junior second baseman Jordan Hankins has a multi-hit outing in each game of his five-game hit streak (11-of-23, .478, 7 RBI). Shortstop Kevin Corey posted his first multi-hit outing as a Gov, with a 2-for-4 outing.
Massoni and Hankins enter the weekend with five-game hit streaks. Hankins, Massoni and sophomore right fielder Dylan Riner have reached base safely in all eight games this season. Junior starter Lee Ridenhour improved to 2-0 with last Friday’s win against Illinois State and has a 1.35 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 13.1 innings this season.
Senior Casey Delgado notched his season’s first win, Saturday. Reliever Ryan Quick has posted a win in the Governors last two games (Sunday vs. ISU and Tuesday vs. SIU). Closer Tyler Rogers has a save in each of his first five appearances this season.
Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State opened its season with six games in South Carolina, finishing the trip 3-3 with wins against Northwestern, Western Carolina and Cincinnati. Sophomore catcher Blaise Salter opened the campaign with 8 hits (.308 batting average). Senior outfielder Jordan Keur had six hits (.286) with a home run and a team-best seven RBI.
Senior starter Andrew Waszak made two appearances during the opening two weeks and has a 1-0 record and 1.50 ERA while posting 11 strike outs over 12 innings, but also has surrendered 6 doubles. Junior left-handed closer Jeff Kinley has 2 saves this season and boasts a 1.35 ERA and 11 strikeouts over 6.2 innings. As a staff, MSU pitchers have struck out 55 over 51.2 innings (9.58 K/9) and surrendered only 19 walks (3.31 BB/9).
Harper One of 30 Finalists For Senior Class Award
Infielder Reed Harper has been named one of 30 baseball finalists for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award®. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
Govs Off To Quick Start
Austin Peay has jumped out of the gates to a 7-1 mark entering the season’s third week. It is the best start – second-best all-time – for any Govs team since the 1958 squad started 10-0.
Hankins Named TSWA Player of the Week
Second baseman Jordan Hankins was named the Tennessee Sport Writers Association’s Player of the Week, February 25th.
Hankins, went 9-for-18 in four games the previous week, posting a multi-hit performance in each game.
Hankins began the week with a 2-for-4 outing at Middle Tennessee. He followed that with a 7-for-14, 4 RBI performance in the three-game series against Illinois State.
Govs Named Central Region Team of the Week
College Baseball Insider named the Govs the Louisville Slugger Central Region Team of the Week, one of four region teams named. Austin Peay went 4-0 during the Week of Feb. 18 with a win at Middle Tennessee and a three-game sweep of Missouri Valley foe Illinois State.
The group was led by Florida Gulf Coast which was tabbed as the Louisville Slugger National Team of the Week following a three-game sweep of nationally ranked Florida.
Govs Ranked No. 16 in Mid-Major Poll
Austin Peay moved up to No. 16 in the CollegeBaseballDaily.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll this week. The group around the Govs includes No. 13 Creighton, No. 14 St. Louis, No. 15 Southeastern Louisiana and No. 17 Georgia Southern. Belmont continues to receive votes in this week’s poll and was the first team listed outside the top 25.
Media Center
Radio: WVRY 105.1 FM (entire series)
Online: www.LetsGoPeay.com
Inclement Weather Information
The weather forecast includes inclement weather in the Clarksville area for this weekend’s series with Michigan State. Schedule changes and updates will be available on www.LetsGoPeay.com and on Twitter, follow @LetsGoPeay or @APSUBaseball for the latest information.
