Athens, GA – Brooke Pfefferle had four hits, including three for extra-bases, but it wasn’t enough for Austin Peay State University, Friday at Jack Turner Stadium on the opening day of the 17th Annual Georgia Classic, as the Governors fell to Central Michigan, 4-3 and #21 James Madison, 13-2.
Central Michigan 4, Austin Peay State University 3
The APSU Govs led the Chippewas 3-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, taking the lead on an RBI double by Bailey Shorter in the top of the inning to score Kelsey Gray – who had opened the inning by drawing a walk.
But in the bottom of the inning, after picking up a couple of one-out singles, took advantage of back-to-back hit batters and a walk to score two runs to escape with the win, 4-3.
Austin Peay State University had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on Brooke Pfefferle’s first home run of the season and extend that lead to 2-0 in the fifth on an RBI single by Shorter, before CMU tied the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer.
#21 James Madison 13, Austin Peay State University 2
In the nightcap, James Madison (4-1) broke open a 0-0 contest with a four-run third inning, coming on four hits and two walks.
The APSU Govs would try to mount a comeback versus the nationally-ranked squad, scoring twice in the top of the fourth, including one run on a sacrifice fly by Emily Moore to score pinch runner Katie Keen, but a home run and a bases-loaded error allowed the Dukes to score four more runs in the bottom of the inning to break the game open, 8-2.
James Madison would add a run in the fifth, to make it 9-2, before ending the game in the bottom of the sixth on a game-ending grand slam for the 13-2 final.
Inside the Boxscore
Bailey Shorter has recorded a hit in all eight games this season.
Brooke Pfefferle’s two doubles versus James Madison were a career single-game high.
Emily Moore became the 11th player in program history to be hit by a pitch at least 10 times in a career when she hit versus Central Michigan.
Drew Dudley became the first APSU Gov to have two sacrifice bunts in the same game since Morgan Rackel recorded two versus McNeese on February 23rd, 2019.
Third baseman Lexi Osowski had a career single game high five assists versus Central Michigan.
The games versus Central Michigan and James Madison marked the first time since the opening of the 2014 season (McNeese and Syracuse) where the Govs had played back-to-back teams on the same day they had never played before.
APSU Coach Kassie Stanfill Statements
On Brooke Pfefferle’s big day at the plate
“Brooke’s starting to get comfortable at the plate in the number two spot for us. She came out today and looked confident every time she stepped into the batter’s box and had a presence that she was going to find a way to get on (base) and that’s what she did.”
On Bailey Shorter continuing to do well in the leadoff spot
“Bailey is finding a way to make things happen for us. We love her in the leadoff spot, and she has done a great job with that and with Brooke (Pfefferle) right behind her, that’s a good one-two-punch.”
On bouncing back after a tough day
“We’re going to do our homework tonight, look at some video, talk some things over with the team and get the girls prepared to come out Saturday and win ball games.”
Next Up For APSU Softball
The Austin Peay State University softball team (3-5) win continue play at the Georgia Classic Saturday, with a couple of rematches, as they face James Madison at 9:30am and Central Michigan at 5:00pm.
