APSU Men’s Baseball
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay’s baseball team secured its fifth consecutive Ohio Valley Conference series win with a pair of one-run victories, 8-7 in 10 innings and 5-4, against Tennessee Tech, in a Saturday doubleheader at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay (24-19, 12-4 OVC) only trailed for two innings in the series opener and led by a 7-3 margin entering the ninth inning. However, the Govs opened the door with a pair of infield errors in the ninth, including one by shortstop Reed Harper with two out that extended the inning.
Reed Harper would have the opportunity for redemption in the 10th and did not let it pass by. Third baseman Greg Bachman led off the inning with a walk and the Govs moved him to second on a sacrifice bunt. Bachman was left at second as catcher Matt Wollenzin lined out to center field for the second out. Harper stepped to the plate and hit a laser into left center, driving home Bachman with the game-winning run.
Ryne Harper (4-1) picked up the victory after allowing two unearned runs on two hits over the final two innings. Starter Jeremy Dobbs left after five-plus innings and surrendering three runs on four hits and five walks while striking out seven.
Golden Eagles reliever Cullen Park (2-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing one run on a hit and two walks in 1.2 innings.
The Govs led the second game wire-to-wire, but never led by more than three runs. Wollenzin, the designated hitter in Game 2, put APSU ahead with a three-run home run in the first inning.
Tennessee Tech would close to within one run twice in the contest, including 5-4 in the six on designated hitter Evan Frazier’s two-run home run, but could not tie the game.
Austin Peay Game 2 starter Jack Snodgrass (2-5) struck out eight over 5.2 innings to secure the win, allowing four runs on five hits. Harper notched his season’s sixth save with a scoreless ninth that included a pair of strikeouts.
Tennessee Tech starter Matthew Shepherd (3-5) allowed five runs on six hits over 4.1 innings for the loss despite striking out seven.
Reed Harper extended his hitting streak to 21 games, finishing the day 4-for-8 with four RBI. Wollenzin had a hit in each game (2-for-5) and led the Govs with five RBI.
Outfielder Chad Oberacker led Tennessee Tech with a 3-for-7, two RBI effort. Austin Peay pitching limited the Golden Eagles to 12 hits (.185 batting average) in the doubleheader.
Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech will complete their three-game OVC series with a 1:00pm, Sunday contest.
