APSU Sports Information
Martin, TN – Designated hitter Matt Joslin had seven RBI while both right fielder Parker Phillips and first baseman Andrew Flaherty had six RBI as the Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team enjoyed its most prolific offensive outing of the season in a 22-11 Ohio Valley Conference victory against UT Martin, Sunday at Skyhawk Field.
Austin Peay (21-17, 13-8 OVC) trailed 4-1 after UT Martin shortstop Casey Harford’s grand slam in the first inning.
But the Governors responded quickly with a six-run second inning, capped by Phillips’ grand slam, which gave Austin Peay a 7-4 lead.
UT Martin (15-24, 5-13 OVC) would keep the game close, scoring twice in its half of the second only to watch the Govs counter in the third.
Again it was Phillips’ bat that did the damage as he hit his second home run of the contest, a two-run shot that pushed the score to 9-6.
The Govs would extend their lead again in the fifth as Joslin and Flaherty’s bats started to find their rhythm. Joslin hit a bases-loaded two-run double and Flaherty followed with an RBI ground out, and the Govs led 14-8 after five frames.
Austin Peay closed strongly as well, scoring eight runs in the final three innings. Flaherty hit a three-run home run to right field in the seventh. Joslin then hit a grand slam in the ninth – his second grand slam of the week – to seal the victory.
Joslin went 4-for-6 with seven RBI, a double, grand slam and scored four times. Phillips also had a three-hit day at the plate with his two home runs and six RBI.
Flaherty’s 3-for-6 outing included a home run and six RBI. Left fielder Aaron Campbell reached base safely in all seven of his plate appearances, going 4-for-4 with three walks and scored five times.
Ryan Kouba (2-0) picked up the win after entering the game in the first inning and lasting 3.1 innings. Austin Peay used seven pitchers in the contest, and the bullpen also finished strongly with the final four Govs pitchers combining to allow one run over the last three innings.
UT Martin starter Winston Cannon (4-7) allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks over two innings and suffered the loss. Harford went 4-for-5 with six RBI to lead the Skyhawks offense.
Moment That Mattered
Austin Peay may have had to gather its thoughts after seeing its 1-0 lead erased in the bottom of the first when UTM shortstop Casey Harford hit a grand slam. But if they did, it didn’t take long as the first five batters reached base in the second inning.
After second baseman Malcolm Tipler pushed in a run with a bases-loaded walk, right fielder Parker Phillips strode to the plate. On the first pitch he saw, Philips drove the ball over the wall in left to give Austin Peay a 7-4 lead they would not relinquish.
Water Cooler Notes
Have A Week Matt
Designated hitter Matt Joslin pieced together the first seven RBI outing of his career, Sunday, to cap an incredible week. It began with his pinch-hit walk-off home run against Southern Illinois, Tuesday. Joslin then had a game-tying pinch-hit two-run single, helping the Govs win Game 2 of the UT Martin series. Sunday he had an RBI single, a two-run double and a grand slam. All told he went 6-for-9 with 13 RBI in 12 plate appearances over four games.
Campbell’s Concentration
Left fielder Aaron Campbell also enjoyed the weekend at UT Martin. He finished the three-game stay going 8-for-10 at the plate with five walks (.867 OBP) and scoring seven times. Campbell capped the weekend Sunday by reaching base in all seven plate appearances with a double, three singles, three walks and scored five times.
What The Win Means
Austin Peay moves to third in the OVC standings with one month remaining in the regular season. The Govs are one-game behind co-leaders Belmont and Jacksonville State. However, APSU is only one-half game – and .008 percentage points – ahead of fourth place Morehead State.
Next Up For APSU Baseball
APSU Baseball travels to Murfreesboro Tennessee on Tuesday, April 23rd to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Game set to start at 6:00pm.
