APSU Governors Baseball loses to Morehead State Eagles 7-6

Austin Peay Sports Information

Morehead, KY – Another one-run game fell against Austin Peay State University’s baseball team as it dropped a 7-6 Ohio Valley Conference decision against Morehead State, Sunday afternoon at Allex Field.

The Govs used right fielder Rolando Gautier’s two run home run in the first inning to grab the early advantage. Austin Peay extended its lead to 5-1 thanks to shortstop Garrett Copeland’s two-run blast in the second inning.

That home run chased Morehead State starter Willie Sligh from the game. However, the change proved beneficial for the Eagles who saw their bullpen shut down the Govs offense the rest of the way. Austin Peay saw 13 of its final 32 batters retired by strikeouts and scored just one run in the final seven innings.

Morehead State (25-22, 13-11) closed the gap with home runs in the third and fourth innings. Right fielder Brandon Rawe’s two-run shot in the third cut Austin Peay’s lead to 5-4. First baseman Kane Sweeney then added a solo home run in the fourth to briefly tie the game, 5-5.

The Govs broke the tie with third baseman Ridge Smith’s sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, giving APSU a 6-5 lead they would nurse for the next two frames.

Morehead State would tie the game again in the seventh inning courtesy shortstop Robby Spencer’s RBI double that snuck past Smith at third base.

The Eagles eighth inning saw Austin Peay try to counter their batters at every turn. Reliever Kevin Corey entered the game to start the inning and retired second baseman Tyler Bigler. Austin Peay then turned to left-hander Levi Primasing who got left-handed first baseman Sweeney to line out to second base.

The Govs finally turned the ball over to closer Ryan Quick, but saw their luck run out as Rawe hit his third home run of the contest on the first pitch he saw to break the tie and ultimately win the game.

Quick (2-6) was handed a loss for the second time in the series, after allowing the lone run on three hits in one-third of an inning. The Govs used eight pitchers in the contest.

Morehead State closer Craig Pearcy (4-2) struck out four of the eight batters he faced in two scoreless innings to pick up the win.

Copeland led the Govs offense with a 1-for-3, two RBI outing that included his two-run home run and two walks. Left fielder Cayce Bredlau, designated hitter Alex Robles and catcher P.J. Torres had two hits each in the Govs 11-hit outing.

Rawe paced the Morehead State attack with a 3-for-4, four RBI outing that included home runs in the first, third and eighth innings.

Austin Peay will have the upcoming week off for finals before hosting UT Martin in a pivotal OVC series beginning with a 6:00pm, Friday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Box Score

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
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Austin Peay......... 230 010 000 -  6 11  1
Morehead State...... 112 100 11X -  7 15  0
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