Austin Peay's baseball team split its season-opening doubleheader with Valparaiso, dropping game one, 15-6, and winning 12-4 in the nightcap.
The Govs allowed a nine-run fifth inning en route to dropping Saturday's first game, 15-6.
Senior Jeff Lykins was tagged with loss after allowing four runs on four walks and not recording an out in the top of the fifth. Starter Ryne Mantooth allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in four innings of work. Jake Brisbin, Jason Stoermer and Jeff Brooks combined to allow six runs over the game's final five innings.
The Govs offense produced six runs on four hits, led by Ryan Gilboy's two-run, 1-for-3 effort at the plate.
Jason Brunelli and Justin Frane each went 3-for-5 to lead the Crusaders. Three other Crusaders finished with two hits to account for 16 Valpo hits in game one. Derek Smith picked up the win after pitching 4.1 scoreless innings in relief.
Both pitching staffs combined to walk 20 batters, 11 by the Govs and nine by the Crusaders.
In game two, Austin Peay broke out the bats to take a 6-2 lead after three innings. The Govs scored on RBI singles by Matt Kole, in the first, and Tyler Farrar, in the second. J.B. Gilbert plated the third inning's first run with an RBI double to left before a two-out two-run home run by Josh Kemph.
Steve Godawa took the mound for the Crusaders to start the fifth inning, but did not last long. Will Houge singled down the right-field line and stole second base to get things started. Godawa got a fly-out, but then walked two Govs to load the bases.
He was replaced by Ranko Ivetic, who then hit Chad Cunningham and threw a wild pitch, scoring Houge and Josh Purcell. Greg Bachman then ripped a two-RBI single to centerfield scoring Cunningham and Kemph, giving the Govs a 10-2 lead after five innings.
Valparaiso would score single runs in the sixth and eighth innings, but the Govs would answer with a pair of runs in the eighth, setting the final 12-4 margin.
Govs starter Stephen Huff picked up the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. Ryne Harper came on relief, closing out the game allowing one run on two hits, striking out three.
Bachman led the Govs offense with a 3-for-5 effort and two RBI. Kemph finished 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI, whille Gilbert added a 2-for-5, two RBI night.
Alex Berry was tagged for the loss, allowing six runs (two earned) on seven hits in four innings. Zach Rodeghero led Valpo's offense going 3-for-4 with a double.
The Govs and Crusaders wrap up their three-game series with a noon, Sunday, game at Raymond C. Hand Park.
-AP-
