JACKSON, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's baseball team fell to Memphis, 5-4 in 13 innings, Wednesday night in non-conference action at Pringles Field.
Memphis (16-20) left runners in scoring position in both the 11th and 12th innings, but were issued a leadoff walk in the 13th by Austin Peay reliever Lucas Anderson. After sacrificing the runner ? third baseman Jacob Wilson ? to second, Anderson intentionally walked centerfielder Drew Martinez before leaving the mound. APSU reliever Brian Bernatowicz took the mound and was greeted by a successful double steal before surrendering a single to second baseman Adam McClain to push across the winning run.
Austin Peay (15-21) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings using aggressive base running to put men in scoring position. In the first, shortstop Jon Clinard hit a leadoff single and advanced to second when left fielder Adam Browett reached on an error. That duo combined on a double steal before first baseman Matt Kole hit a sacrifice fly for the game's first run.
In the third, the Govs got back-to-back singles from centerfielder Michael Blanchard and Clinard who combined on another successful double steal setting up right fielder Jared DeLong's sacrifice fly for the second run.
Govs starter Jake Brisbin held the Tigers scoreless through four innings, but could not escape the fifth. He was tagged for back-to-back one-out base hits, designated hitter Cole Shelton's double pushing across a run. Brisbin sandwiched got a second out but loaded the bases on a Martinez single and walked McClain to push across the tying run. Brisbin made way for reliever Ryne Harper who recorded the inning's third out.
Memphis took its first lead in the seventh, as left fielder Robby Graham doubled and scored on Martinez's single up the middle. Martinez advanced courtesy a passed ball and a wild pitch before scoring on shortstop Brett Bowen's sacrifice fly, giving Memphis a 4-3 advantage.
The lead would not last a full inning as the Govs tied the score in the eighth. Kole singled to start the inning. The Govs would record two outs before designated hitter Daniel Baggett was hit by a pitch followed by Brooks Hunton's pinch hit double which pushed across the tying run and set up the extra inning affair.
Memphis relievers combined to retire 11 consecutive Austin Peay batters in extra innings, before Baggett's two-out single in the 13th broke the streak. Reliever Dane Sharp (1-0) ? the fourth Memphis pitcher of the night ? picked up the victory after pitching the 13th. Starter Marc Ashley went seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits.
Anderson (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing one run over 3.1 innings during which he surrendered four walks and struck out four. The Govs used six pitchers in the contest. Brisbin left after 4.2 innings allowing two runs on five hits and striking out four.
Neither team's offense posted big numbers, the two squads combining for 19 hits in 88 at-bats. Clinard led Austin Peay's nine-hit outing with a 2-for-5 performance and stole three bases. Martinez led Memphis' 10-hit barrage with a 4-for-5 outing.
Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts Tennessee Tech in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series. The set begins with a 1 p.m., Saturday, doubleheader at Raymond C. Hand Park before a 1 p.m., Sunday finale.
NOTES: Wednesday's contest was the longest outing by Austin Peay since a 13.2 inning affair at Arkansas State during the 1999 season... the two teams combined for 10 stolen bases, Austin Peay recording seven thefts... official game time was 3 hours 55 minutes.
-AP-
