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HomeSportsAPSU Baseball's Offensive held in check by Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

APSU Baseball’s Offensive held in check by Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

APSU Sports Information

APSU BaseballMurfreesboro, TN –  Shortstop Bobby Head hit a solo home run but the Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team could not keep pace with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a 7-1 nonconference contest at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

Austin Peay Baseball loses at Middle Tennessee 7-1, Tuesday. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Baseball loses at Middle Tennessee 7-1, Tuesday. (APSU Sports Information)

Austin Peay (21-18) saw its lead off batter reach base in each of the first three innings but could not take advantage.

The Blue Raiders used a double play to end the first-inning threat and MTSU starter Josh Young struck out two batters to deny the Govs in the second.

The Governors had their best opportunity to break through in the third when catcher Alex Sala led off with a single and third baseman Malcolm Tipler hit a one-out double. But Young got a pair of fly outs to again deny Austin Peay a run.

Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee (16-25) took advantage when its lead off batters reached base in the second and fourth innings. Shortstop Myles Christian was hit by a pitch to start the second inning, MTSU first baseman Brycen Thomas followed with a double into the gap to score the game’s first run.

Two innings later, right fielder Blake Benefield was hit by a pitch and Thomas walked to start a two-run rally. Third baseman Nick Carnevale executed a squeeze bunt to perfection and designated hitter Brett Stratinsky followed with a RBI single to give the Blue Raiders a 3-0 lead.

Head would break up the Blue Raiders shutout bid in the fifth inning. His line drive home run to left field with two out supplying the Govs their lone run.

Austin Peay starter Nolan Monaghan (1-2) surrendered three runs on two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen and suffered the loss.

Head led the Govs with a 2-for-3 outing at the plate, including his season’s sixth home run. Center fielder Garrett Spain reached base for the 39th consecutive game with a 2-for-4 outing that included a double.

Middle Tennessee reliever Carter Bair (1-0) picked up the win with five innings of work, striking out six while allowing one run on two hits in his first action since March 16th. Christian and Thomas each had two RBI to lead the Blue Raider offense.

Moment That Mattered

The Govs saw plenty of scoring opportunities pass them by in the early going, but second baseman Bobby Head provided a spark in the fifth. The sophomore saw a 3-1 pitch to his liking and blasted it out of the park to right for his season’s sixth home run.

 

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39 And Counting
Center fielder Garrett Spain’s season-opening run kept going at Middle Tennessee. His second inning leadoff double extended his reached base safely streak to 39 games. That streak is the fourth longest in program history. The next spot ahead of him is Ryan Kane’s 40-game streak during the 2006 season.

Next Up For APSU Baseball

APSU Basball saw its upcoming game against Alabama A&M, Wednesday, postponed due to schedule conflicts. The Govs will pick up the bats again when they open a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series against SIU Edwardsville, Friday, at Raymond C. Hand Park.

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