APSU Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Designated hitter Chase Hamilton had three hits, including a home run, and four RBI to pace the Red Squad in a 14-9 victory against the Black Team, Friday night, in the opening game of Austin Peay State University baseball’s Red-Black World Series at Raymond C. Hand Park.
The Red Squad (1-0) scored in each of the first five innings in the shortened seven-inning contest and Hamilton had a part in three of those frames.
The error opened the flood gates to a four-run frame, capped by catcher David Martinez‘ two-run single.
Hamilton added a RBI double off the right field wall to start the Red Squad’s two-run second, extending the early lead to 6-1. After the Black Team cut into the lead, Hamilton’s two-run home run well over the wall in right field capped a four-run rally and extended the lead to 10-4.
The Red Squad would tack on two runs in both the fourth and fifth. Giovannelli’s RBI single was the only run-scoring hit in the forth. First baseman Dre Gleason would chip in a two-run home run in the fifth, which drove in Hamilton who reached on an infield single earlier in the frame.
The Black Team (0-1) got on the board first with center fielder Nick Walker‘s RBI single in the top of the first. However, by the time they scored again in the third they faced a 6-1 deficit. The Black Team did take advantage of two Red Squad miscues, plating three runs after the errors, but it wasn’t enough to dent the final score line.
Hamilton finished the day 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored. Giovanelli had a team-best 4-for-5 outing and scored twice. Center fielder Cayce Bredlau reached base four times in five plate appearances, walking three times to go along with a RBI single in a 1-for-2 outing. Gleason and Martinez each had two hits.
Red squad starter Zach Neff (1-0) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, tossing five innings to pick up the win. He allowed six runs (three earned) on eight hits.
Catcher Alex Sala led the Black Team with a 4-for-5, two RBI performance. In addition, shortstop Kyle Wilson went 3-for-4 and scored three times. Third baseman Alex Robles, Walker and first baseman Brett Newberg each had two RBI.
Black Team starter Tyler Thompson (0-1) suffered the loss after tossing the first two innings.
The Governors continue their Red-Black World Series with a 1:00pm, Saturday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park. Admission to the park is free for all visitors.
