Natchitoches, LA – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team could not solve Northwestern State starting pitcher Cal Carver in a 4-0 loss, Saturday at Brown-Stroud Field.
Carver (2-0) faced the minimum through five innings as Austin Peay (1-8) saw base runners cut down due to a pickoff in the first and double plays in both the second and fourth innings.
Carver ran into some trouble in the seventh as third baseman Bobby Head led off with a single and right fielder Harrison Brown followed with a walk.
However, Carver got a strikeout and another timely double play to end Austin Peay State University’s biggest threat.
Northwestern State (5-4) used home runs in the first and second innings to build an early lead that proved enough to support Carver. Center fielder Kendall Foster hit a solo home run in the first for a 1-0 advantage. In the second, second baseman Daunte Stuart’s three-run shot extended the advantage to 4-0.
Austin Peay starter Peyton Jula (0-3) settled in after the second home run and ultimately made the longest start of his career – a 5.2-inning outing that saw him allow only the four early runs on seven hits and four walks. Kyle Nunn finished the game with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
Carver would go seven scoreless innings, striking out seven batters while scattering three hits and two walks. Reliever Alex Makarewich picked up the save, striking out two over two hitless frames.
The Govs were held to three hits with Head, second baseman Malcolm Tipler and center fielder Garrett Spain each getting a base knock.
Stuart led NSU, going 1-for-3 with three RBI, a home run, and two walks. Foster was 2-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks.
Austin Peay State University and Northwestern State conclude their three-game series with a rescheduled noon, Sunday start.
