CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. ? Austin Peay
State University's baseball team saw two five-run leads evaporate only to
pullout victories of 7-6 and 6-5 against Southeast Missouri in an Ohio Valley
Conference doubleheader, Saturday, at Capaha Field.
With the sweep, the Govs evened
their overall record at 21-21 and improved to 9-8 in league action. Combined
with other action across the league, APSU moved from seventh in the conference
standings to a third-place tie. Southeast Missouri
falls to 17-18 overall and 7-8 in conference play.
In both games, Austin Peay held
five-run leads only to watch Southeast Missouri
rally to tie the game. However, shortstop Tyler Farrar posted the game-winning
RBI each time. In game one, his solo home run ? his season's ninth ? in the
eighth provided the game-winning margin. In game two, he beat out a potential
inning-ending double play which allowed the eventual game-winning run to cross
the plate.
Meanwhile, Govs closer Daniel Tenholder was called on in both games to close out the Redhawks. In the opener,
he saw the first man he faced reach on an error but then induced a pair of fly
outs and then fielder's choice to end the threat. In the night cap, he was
called on to go 1.2 innings and even put the potential game-winning run on base
before recording the game-ending strikeout. The saves were his season's ninth
and 10th.
Neither Austin Peay starter factored
in their respective decision. Junior Jake Brisbin (2-1) surrendered the lead in
game one, allowing two inherited runners to score, but picked up the victory
after holding Southeast Missouri scoreless
over 1.2 innings before handing the ball to Tenholder.
Freshman Ryne Harper (3-2) picked up
the game two victory after he also allowed two inherited runners score, tying
the game, but also held Southeast Missouri
scoreless over 2.0 innings for the victory.
Offensively, the Govs were out hit
in both games, posting five this in game one and eight hits in game two. Farrar
was one of five players to have two hits in the doubleheader. Center fielder
Rafael Hill had a game one solo home run and catcher Trey Lucas belted a
three-run home run in game two.
Southeast Missouri pitchers Dustin Renfrow (3-4) ? the
game one starter ? and Todd Strahlendorf (2-1) were tagged for the losses. Left
fielder Justin Wheeler had three hits in game one but was held hitless in game
two. Second baseman Tony Spencer had three hits in game two after being held
hitless in game one.
Austin Peay and Southeast
Missouri will wrap up the three-game OVC series with a 1p.m.,
Sunday, contest.
-AP-
