NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? A rare power surge helped Austin Peay
State University's baseball team post a 5-3 victory at Belmont, Wednesday, at Greer Stadium.
Austin Peay (7-5) pounded out three home runs on the warm,
windy day ? doubling their output for the season. Second baseman J.B. Gilbert
got the long-ball demonstration started with his two-run blast to left center
in the second inning which capped a
three-run frame, putting the Govs up 3-1. First baseman Matt Kole added a solo
home run to right field in the third for what proved to be the game-winning
hit. Third baseman Tyler Farrar's solo blast to left field in the fifth proving
to be an insurance run.
Belmont (4-9) capitalized on a leadoff
double by second baseman Daniel Wagner in the first inning to open the scoring,
1-0. However, APSU starter Jake Brisbin retired the next 10 Bruin batters as
the Govs made their scoring push. Belmont
broke back through in the fourth with a single and first baseman Derek Wiley's
home run in the fifth narrowed APSU's lead to 5-2.
Brisbin got into trouble in the sixth, allowing three
consecutive hitters to reach base and surrendering a third run before being
lifted. Reliever Jason Stoermer retired the first batter he faced but hit the
next batter to load the bases before departing. Kole took to the mound and
induced a popout to end the threat with APSU still leading, 5-3.
Kole retired each of the seven batters he faced, retiring
the side in order in both the seventh and eighth innings. Closer Daniel
Tenholder struck out two on his way to his season's second save.
Brisbin picked up his season's first victory after allowing
three runs on five hits over 5.1 innings. Right fielder Will Hogue had three
hits, including a double, as the Govs needed just eight hits in the victory.
Belmont's Dane Swineheart was tagged for
the loss after allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits over three innings.
The Bruins offense mustered just five hits on the day.
Austin Peay returns home for a three-game series against
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Friday-Sunday, at Raymond C. Hand Park.
That series begins with a 2:30 p.m., Friday, contest followed by noon outings
both Saturday and Sunday.
- AP -
