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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University Baseball falls to Murray State, 11-3

Austin Peay State University Baseball falls to Murray State, 11-3

Austin Peay State University (APSU)

APSU BaseballMurray, KY – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team could not replicate its performance in its Ohio Valley Conference opener, dropping the second half of a Sunday doubleheader, 11-3, to Murray State at Johnny Reagan Field.

After being shutout in the day’s first game, Murray State (4-9, 1-1 OVC) showed no interest in seeing Austin Peay’s pitching staff replicate that performance.

Austin Peay Baseball loses to Murray State in second game of doubleheader, Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball loses to Murray State in second game of doubleheader, Sunday. (APSU Sports Information)

The Racers broke out of the gate with a six-run first inning highlighted by center fielder Tyler Duke’s leadoff home run and right fielder Brock Anderson’s two-run shot.

Austin Peay (5-7, 1-1 OVC) would chase that early deficit the rest of the game but was unable to piece together a rally that produced multiple runs. The Govs would score single runs in the second, fifth and seventh innings but could not close the gap.

The Govs scored in the second and seventh innings after leadoff extra-base hits in each frame. Center fielder Garrett Spain started the second frame with a triple – his third of the season – and scored on catcher David Martinez’ ground out. Martinez had a leadoff double in the seventh and eventually scored on designated hitter Matt Joslin’s sacrifice fly.

But Murray State responded each time the Govs scored, adding runs in the second, fourth, sixth and eighth frames to secure their lead.

Racers starter Shane Burns benefited from the offensive outburst, picking up his season’s first win after holding APSU to three runs on four hits over seven innings.

Austin Peay used five pitchers in the contest, starter Josh Rye (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing six runs while recording one out in the first inning.

The Governors six hits were scattered among six different hitters. Martinez went 1-for-3 with an RBI for the second straight game while Joslin went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.

Duke, Anderson and designated hitter Sean Darmafall each had three hits to lead Murray State’s offense. Anderson finished 3-for-5 with two home runs, adding a sixth-inning solo shot to his tally.

Moment That Mattered

Comebacks start with a spark and Govs center fielder Garrett Spain tried to provide a spark after the Racers posted their six-spot in the first inning. He opened the second inning by filling the left-center gap with his third triple of the young season, setting Austin Peay up with a quick response to the Racers rally.

 

Water Cooler Chatter

Spain Train Keeps Rolling
Spain’s second-inning triple in Game 2 along with his eighth-inning single in Game 1 extended his reached safely streak to 12 games. He also has a hit in 11 of his first 12 collegiate games.

Marty Party Stays Hot
Meanwhile, David Martinez’ extended his hit streak to a career-best 10 games with an eighth-inning single in Game 1 and a seventh-inning double in Game 2 – both times in his final at-bat. The back-to-back 1-for-3 outings lowered his season batting average to team-leading .472.

Next Up for APSU Baseball

Austin Peay State University and Murray State will conclude their three-game OVC series with a 1:30pm, Monday contest at Johnny Reagan Field.

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