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HomeSportsAPSU Baseball Govs roll over Eastern Kentucky Colonels, 10-1

APSU Baseball Govs roll over Eastern Kentucky Colonels, 10-1

APSU Sports Information

APSU Baseball - Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN – Left fielder Logan Gray finished with four hits and four RBI while starting pitcher Alex Robles allowed one run over seven innings to lead Austin Peay State University’s baseball team past Eastern Kentucky, 10-1, in Friday night’s Ohio Valley Conference series opener between the teams at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Gray staked Robles to an early 1-0 lead with a double just inside the third base bag.

Austin Peay Baseball beats Eastern Kentucky 10-1 Friday night at Raymond C. Hand Park. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball beats Eastern Kentucky 10-1 Friday night at Raymond C. Hand Park. (APSU Sports Information)

It was the first of five consecutive batters to reach base to start the game.

However, the Govs would leave the bases loaded as Eastern Kentucky starter Eric Nerl wriggled his way out of the jam.

Robles responded to the early run support with six straight scoreless innings to start the game. He would allow a base hit in each of the first five innings, but only faced a runner in scoring position in the third inning.

APSU Baseball's Clayton SmithsonAfter watching a double play end the fifth, Robles found a new level in the sixth and seventh innings. He struck out the side in order in the fifth with all three batters caught looking.

Robles then started the seventh with a fourth-straight strikeout, but Eastern Kentucky first baseman Ben Fisher ended the strike out streak with a solo home run to right field. Robles got back in stride quickly, striking out the next two batters to end the frame and his outing.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay’s offense kept churning against Eastern Kentucky. Gray doubled the APSU lead with a leadoff home run in the third and shortstop Clayton Smithson added a bases-loaded walk for a 3-0 lead.

APSU Baseball's Chase HamiltonAustin Peay (23-13, 13-6 OVC) saw its lead hit 5-0 after right fielder Chase Hamilton‘s two-run home in the fourth. Austin Peay put the game away in the fifth as Gray added a two-run double to his outing as part of a four-run frame that gave APSU a 9-0 lead.

Robles (7-3) had an impressive bounce back from a disappointing outing last week at Belmont. He scattered six hits over seven innings, striking out nine and walking none.

Gray chipped in a 4-for-5, four RBI performance that included two doubles and a home run – the third in his last four games. Catcher Alex Sala chipped in a career-high three hits in a 3-for-3 outing. Hamilton added a 2-for-4, two RBI night.

APSU Baseball's Alex SalaNerl (4-3) was tagged for the loss after surrendering eight runs on 11 hits and four walks over 4.1 innings.

Eastern Kentucky (18-21, 7-9 OVC) was held to six hits, Fisher leading the way with a 2-for-3, one RBI performance.

Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky continue the three-game series with a 1:00pm, Saturday contest.

The Governors will recognize their 1971 OVC Championship squad during pregame and in-game ceremony.

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