Mobile, AL – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) softball team rallied for two late-inning runs to defeat Louisiana Tech, 3-2, at Jaguar Field, in the second day of the Jaguar Challenge Saturday before seeing a late rally fall one run short in the nightcap to South Alabama, 9-8.
Austin Peay 3, Louisiana Tech 2
Lexi Osowski walked-off the Lady Techsters, 3-2, in the bottom of the seventh inning with her second double of the game, a two-out gapper into left-center field, to score Emily Moore, who had opened the inning with a single through the left side of the Louisiana Tech infield.
Osowski finished the game with three hits and two RBIs.
This came after the APSU Govs had tied the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the sixth when Katelyn Smith was hit by a hit with the bases loaded to score Brooke Pfefferle – who had opened the inning with a single.
Austin Peay State University had taken an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as Osowski doubled in Bailey Shorter, who had opened the frame with a single.
Shelby Harpe (2-1) got the win in relief, entering in the top of the seventh, after starter Harley Mullins went the first six innings and gave up two runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out five.
Louisiana Tech would tie the game in the top of the third, 1-1, then take their only lead of the game, 2-1, with their final run of the game in the fourth inning.
South Alabama 9, Austin Peay 8
The Governors found themselves down to the Jaguars 6-2 heading into the top of the sixth inning, but rallied to take the lead, 7-6, after scoring five runs in the inning after two were out.
Pinch hitter Victoria Eccleston would open the inning by getting hit by a pitch but would see the next two APSU Govs fly out.
Pfefferle would keep the inning going with a single, followed by two throwing errors on two consecutive APSU hitters allowing the Govs to cut the deficit to one run, 6-5.
But APSU couldn’t keep the Jaguars off the scoreboard, as they gave up three runs to South Alabama in the bottom of the inning to trail once again, 9-7.
The Govs tried to mount one final rally in the top of the seventh, with Shorter reaching on a out-out single and move to second when Pfefferle was hit by a pitch for the third time in the game.
That was followed by a base-loading single by Osowski, with Emily Harkleroad making it a one-run game with an infield out scoring Shorter to make it 9-8.
But that would be as close as APSU would get as Jackson grounded out to shortstop to end the game.
Inside the Boxscore
The walk-off win versus Louisiana Tech was the first for the Govs since March 17th, 2019 versus Michigan State.
The two doubles by Lexi Osowski was the first two-double game by a Governor since she turned the trick versus Morehead State on April 26th, 2019.
The Govs have recorded double figure hit totals in three of their last four games.
Bailey Shorter and Emily Harkleroad extend their career-long hitting streaks to seven games each.
APSU Coach Kassie Stanfill Statements
On the come-from-behind win versus Louisiana Tech
“That was what our Saturday was all about. It was fighting back and playing under pressure, really just having the confidence in each other and knowing that no matter what we were going to find a way to put some runs on the board.”
On seeing what this team can do at the plate
“We’re starting to really swing the bats well. We’re seeing the ball better and being aggressive, we just need to continue to find ways to string some hits together and keep producing runs.”
On finishing the weekend strong
“We have one more game to go this weekend, so we’re going to hammer down on those final seven innings and find a way to come away with another ‘W’.”
Next Up For APSU Softball
The Austin Peay State University softball team will conclude play in the Jaguar Challenge with a 10:00am rematch versus Louisiana Tech.
