BOWLING GREEN, Ky. ? Matt Kole had three RBI and picked up the victory as Austin Peay State Univeristy's baseball team posted a 9-3 victory against Western Kentucky, Wednesday night, at Nick Denes Field.
Kole began the night as the designated hitter and helped put the Govs up early. His two-run first-inning triple opened the scoring. Two innings later, his double scored the eventual game-winning run. Kole (1-0) then came on to pitch in the fifth and faced just 11 batters through three complete innings to pick up his season's first victory.
Austin Peay (11-9) received additional scoring output from third baseman Tyler Farrar who blasted a three-run home run off the scoreboard in right field. It was the second home run in as many nights for Farrar who also had a solo home run, Tuesday, against Memphis. Shortstop Greg Bachman added RBIs in the first and third innings while first baseman Ryan Gilboy finished the Govs scoring with an RBI double in the seventh.
Western Kentucky (11-10) scored lone runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings. The Hilltoppers cashed in a leadoff walk in the first inning with a sacrifice fly. WKU then got solo home runs from shortstop Terrence Dayleg and centerfielder Scott Kaskie in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.
Austin Peay starter Jeff Lykins went four-plus innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five. Kole, Ryne Mantooth and Jeff Brooks followed and shutdown the Hilltopper offense over the final five innings, combining to allow three hits. Kole, Bachman and second baseman Chad Cunningham each rapped out two hits to lead the Govs 10-hit attack.
Western Kentucky starter Bryce Jenney (0-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six over the first 2.2 innings. Third baseman Wade Gaynor led WKU's offense with a 3-for-4 performance.
Austin Peay returns to action with a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series against Jacksonville State, Saturday and Sunday, at Raymond C. Hand Park. The series begins with a 1 p.m., Saturday, doubleheader and concludes with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest.
-AP-
