APSU Sports Information
Murray, KY – Relief pitcher Ethan Clark provided 2.2 innings of scoreless relief and second baseman Garrett Giovannelli supplied the game-winning two-run double in the ninth as Austin Peay State University’s baseball team scored five times in the ninth to post a 14-11 nonconference victory against Murray State, Wednesday night at Reagan Field.
Austin Peay (19-15) ran out to an early 8-3 lead only to watch Murray State rally for eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take an 11-8 lead.
But amidst the Racer’s five-run sixth inning, Clark entered the game and struck out two batters and left the bases loaded to stem a larger outburst.
The Governors would get one run back in the eighth. Designated hitter Brett Newberg led off with a double and Giovannelli followed one batter later with a pinch-hit double to drive in Newberg, cutting the deficit to 11-9.
Austin Peay would save the true comeback for the ninth. The first three batters reached safely to load the bases with no outs. After a strikeout, Newberg supplied a run with a single to shallow right field. Then, with two out, Giovannelli laced a double to the right center gap to drive in two runs for a 12-11 lead. Center fielder Imani Willis followed with a double to left center for two more runs and a 14-11 advantage.
The late burst handed Clark (1-0) his first collegiate win. He faced 12 batters in 2.2 innings of relief, striking out a career-high five. He made way for Brandon Vial in the ninth, who induced three consecutive ground outs to notch his second save.
Giovannelli led the Govs with three RBI and two doubles in his only two plate appearances off the bench. Newberg and outfielder Nick Walker each had two hits and two RBI.
Murray State (17-15) lost despite hitting the game’s only three home runs. Second baseman Grant Wood hit a three-run home run in the first for the Racers first runs. Designated hitter Mike Farnell added a two-run home run in the fifth. Shortstop Jaron Robinson gave Murray State the lead with his sixth-inning grand slam.
Caleb Hicks (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing the first three batters in the ninth to reach base, all three scoring for the only runs he allowed in one inning of work.
