Austin Peay State University Athletics

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Pitcher Jordan Benefiel, of the softball team, has been named this week’s APSU Athlete of the Week.

Benefiel won her first starts as a Gov at the Troy Invitational, going the distance in her first career start against Mercer with eight strikeouts, the most by an Austin Peay pitcher in her debut in 17 years. She later stymied Western Carolina with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings while scattering three hits.

For the weekend, Benefial struck out 13 and surrendered just two walks, posting a 0.96 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .206 average.

Other notable performances by Austin Peay athletes included:

• Freshman quarterback Draylen Ellis, of the football team, was named Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week after throwing for one score and rushing for another in his Austin Peay debut at Tennessee Tech.
• Junior Micah Knisley, of the men’s golf team, delivered on the final day of the Invitational at Savannah Harbor, canning five birdies on the day to share 21^st for the event.
• Sophomore outfielder Garrett Spain, of the baseball team, hit .300 with a pair of home runs and three RBI against 24^th-ranked Dallas Baptist to get Austin Peay’s 2021 campaign underway.
• Sophomore forward D’Shara Booker, of the women’s basketball team, averaged 15.7 points and 6.7 rebounds to lead the Govs to a 2-1 mark last week. She was an outstanding 81.5 percent (22-for-27) from the floor for the week.
• Senior forward Terry Taylor, of the men’s basketball team, averaged 25.3 points and 13.3 rebounds last week, hitting 23-for-26 at the line. In his final appearance in the Dunn Center, he scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Eastern Illinois.