APSU Sports Information
Oxford, AL – Austin Peay State University Baseball second baseman Garrett Giovannelli’s four-hit outing couldn’t spark APSU’s offense in an 8-2 loss to Jacksonville State in its opening game of the 2018 Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship, Wednesday morning, at Choccolocco Park.
Giovannelli led off both the first and third innings with singles and the Governors would eventually load the bases in both innings but were unable to break through on the scoreboard.
He would tack on a two-out double in the fifth – his 26th this season – and a ninth-inning single in a 4-for-5 outing that was his third four-hit day of the season.
Austin Peay (30-25) was unable to break through in the first inning despite loading the bases with one out. Jacksonville State starter Garrett Farmer battled back with consecutive strikeouts to end the threat.
Jacksonville State (30-23) would take the momentum Farmer provided and struck for three runs in the bottom of the first. Designated hitter Trent Simpson would drive in a run with a single and shortstop Isaac Alexander tacked on two more with a two-out single for an early 3-0 lead.
The Governors would get two quick runs in the third as Giovannelli led off with a single, moved to second on a sac bunt and stole third base. A Jacksonville State error allowed Giovannelli to score and third baseman Garrett Kueber would drive in another run, trimming the deficit to a run, 3-2.
Jacksonville State would respond with the game’s next five runs, four coming off home runs. Center fielder Taylor Hawthorne, third baseman Cole Frederick and first baseman Alex Strachan hit homers in the third, fourth and sixth innings, respectively as the JSU lead expanded to 8-2.
Farmer (7-2) went 6.2 innings in the win, scattering seven hits while allowing just two runs. After allowing a double to Giovannelli in the sixth, he retired nine straight before allowing a single in the seventh that ended his day.
Michael Costanzo (9-2) would allow eight run on nine hits in his 5.1-inning outing, striking out four batters.
Austin Peay now will await word of its next game in the tournament. Depending on results later in Wednesday’s tournament action the Govs will play either Game 8 at 7:00pm, Wednesday night, May 24th or in Game 8 at 7:00pm, Thursday, May 25th.
Visit LetsGoPeay.com or OVCSports.com for schedule updates as they become available.
