RICHMOND,
Ky. ? Three outs from being swept in
its Ohio Valley Conference opening doubleheader, Austin Peay State University's
baseball team found enough offense to force a split with Eastern Kentucky. The
Govs lost game one, 2-1, before winning game two, 7-5 in nine innings, Friday.
Game 1: Govs fall in
pitcher's duel
Austin Peay starter Stephen Huff surrendered two early runs and
the Govs offense couldn't score the elusive tying run late in a 2-1, game one
loss.
Huff allowed a two-out solo home run to third baseman
Jayson Langfels in the first inning. Then, after allowing a leadoff double in
the second, saw an error allowing the runner to third before giving up
back-to-back singles.
Austin Peay (9-8, 1-1 OVC) scratched out their first run in
the fourth as left fielder Josh Kemph singled to start the inning. After a
two-out walk to first baseman Matt Cole, Austin Peay executed a hit-and-run perfectly
to score Kemph. However, with runners on second and third they could not get a
hit to bring home the tying run, trailing 2-1.
Austin Peay had to work out of a jam in the fifth after Eastern Kentucky started the inning with back-to-back
singles. Following a sacrifice bunt, Harper hit the next man he faced, loading
the bases. He got out of the jam with by inducing a fly out and ground out.
The Govs had one last scoring opportunity in the ninth, as
EKU reliever McKenzie Willoughby put the first two men he faced on base with
walks. APSU successfully moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. But Willoughby found his
stride just in time, recording a strikeout and groundout to end the game for
his season's third save.
Huff (1-3) was left with the loss despite allowing just
two runs on seven hits over 7.1 innings. Shortstop Greg Bachman had the Govs lone RBI as part
of a 1-for-2 effort.
Preseason OVC “Pitcher of the Year” Christian Friedrich
(2-1) picked up the victory after allowing one run on three hits over six innings.
Catcher Joe Oliver was 2-for-3 for the only multi-hit effort of the game.
Game 2: Govs homers
lead to win in extra innings
Seventh-inning home runs by Kemph and first baseman Matt Kole forced extra innings where Austin Peay took advantage of ineffective
Eastern Kentucky relief on its way to a game two, 7-5 victory in nine innings.
Eastern Kentucky (8-8-1, 1-1 OVC) again got a first-inning
home run, this time using right fielder Dylan McMaine's two-run shot to grab
the early lead. The Colonels would strike again in the third and added two more
runs in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead.
But in the seventh frame, pinch hitter Keegan McCamment
doubled to start the inning and center fielder Rafael Hill walked before Kemph
blasted a three-run home run over the left field fence. Then, third baseman
Tyler Farrar, the ensuing batter, received a base on balls before Kole blasted
a two-run home run to right centerfield to tie the game.
After a scoreless eighth, the Govs took advantage of an
ineffective Colonels relief corps to post two runs in the ninth. First baseman
Ryan Gilboy ledoff with a single before shortstop Greg Bachman reached on an
error. Right fielder Will Hogue moved both runners over on a sacrifice and EKU
intentionally walked designated hitter Chad Cunningham to load the bases. The
gamble did not pay off as reliever Eric Hash walked the next the next two
batters he faced, forcing a run home each time. Hash made way for David Owens
who got out of the inning with a strikeout and a fielders choice, holding the
Govs to a 7-5 advantage.
Eastern Kentucky would make one last run as APSU
reliever Daniel Tenholder surrendered three consecutive singles with two outs,
loading the bases, before inducing the game-ending flyout.
Tenholder (2-0) picked up the victory after holding EKU
scoreless over the final three innings and allowing four hits while striking
out five. Kemph finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI.
Hash (0-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing two runs
(one earned) on one hit and four walks in his 1.1 innings. EKU starter Colby
Brown was left with no decision after holding APSU scoreless over the first
five innings and allowing five hits. Langfels and center fielder Aaron Barrows
each had two hits.
Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky
close out their three game conference set with a noon (CDT), Saturday, contest.
-AP-
