CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's baseball team split an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with Tennessee-Martin, Sunday, at Raymond C. Hand Park. The visiting Skyhawks won the day's first game, 4-2, in 10 innings. The Govs rallied back for a 12-3 victory in the second game and won the three-game set, 2-1.
Austin Peay moved to 23-23 overall and 11-10 in league play to remain in a three-way tie for third place with two weekends remaining. Tennessee-Martin is now 10-34 overall and 5-14 in conference action.
The Govs return to action with a 4:30 p.m., Monday, contest against Middle Tennessee at Raymond C. Hand Park.
GAME 1: Govs drop extra-inning affair to Skyhawks
A pitcher's duel went to extra innings before Tennessee-Martin scored twice in the 10th inning to pull out a 4-2 victory in game one of the doubleheader.
The Skyhawks sent eight men to the plate in the 10th against APSU reliever Daniel Tenholder (3-1), who surrendered two runs on right fielder Mike Hartsfield's single.
After falling behind 2-0 through five innings, the Govs rallied to tie the game in the fifth. Tennessee-Martin starter Cale Sutton walked the first two batters before hitting Rafael Hill to load the bases. Third baseman Greg Bachman cashed in the free passes with a game-tying two-run double.
Sutton went on to win the pitcher's duel after holding the Govs to those two runs on two hits while walking five and striking out six over nine innings. Wade Patterson threw a scoreless 10th inning for his season's fourth save.
APSU starter David Vicini was left with no decision after allowing two runs on six hits over nine innings while striking out seven.
GAME 2: Govs second seven-run inning of weekend enough for win
The Govs used their second seven-run inning of the weekend to rally for a 12-3 victory in the series finale.
Austin Peay sent 11 men to the plate in the fourth inning scoring seventh times to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 9-3 lead. First baseman Matt Kole and second baseman J.B. Gilbert each had two-run hits in the frame.
Govs starter Ryne Mantooth (5-3) was the beneficiary of the rally as he went four innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits while striking out four. Relievers Jake Brisbin and Ryne Harper combined for three innings of scoreless relief.
Skyhawks starter Shawn McElyea (0-5) was tagged for the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits through the first three innings.
Gilbert was 2-for-2 with three RBI and five other Govs hitters had two RBI each in a 14-hit effort.
Designated hitter Will Blackmon had a solo home run in the third and was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Left fielder Bryce Carden added a two-run blast in the fourth as part of a 1-for-3, two RBI effort.
-AP-
