MOREHEAD, Ky. ? Austin Peay's softball team saw it's current run of ?close but no cigar' games increase to five straight, as the Lady Govs dropped 6-5 and 3-2 ? in nine innings -- Ohio Valley Conference decisions to Morehead State Saturday afternoon.
For Austin Peay (12-35, 2-17 OVC) both games had dramatic endings, as the Lady Govs loss in extra innings in Game 2 was on a walk-off home run, while in Game 1, the tying run in the top of the seventh was on third base when the last out was recorded.
In Game 1, Austin Peay got out early on Morehead State (32-16, 13-7 OVC), as the Lady Govs scored in the top of the first inning, on Ashley Taylor's one-out double that was followed by a Brittany Williams triple.
The Lady Govs would make it 2-0 in the third on a two-out single by Randal Davenport driving in Ashley Alverson, who started the rally with a single and moved to second base when Tiffany Smith was hit by a pitch.
A controversial call early in the fifth inning opened the door for Morehead State to mount a rally, as the Lady Eagles scored all six of their runs in that inning.
The call came with the Lady Govs leading 2-0 and Morehead State getting its first two hitters on base with back-to-back singles.
That brought up number nine hitter Samantha Sparks, who flared a popup down the right field line, with APSU Williams -- who was playing second base ? running over and diving for the ball in what looked to be clearly in foul territory.
But home plate umpire Tim Klemm ruled the ball came down in fair territory and Sparks made it all the way to third with a triple and tying the game at 2-2.
Austin Peay could have gotten out of the inning without any more damage, but an error by Taylor at shortstop three batters game the Lady Eagles an extra out and they took advantage of it scoring four unearned runs on back-to-back hits after the error to go up 6-2.
Austin Peay would rally in the top of the seventh, as Taylor and Williams opened the inning with back-to-back walks and moved o second and third two outs later when Davenport was hit by a pitch.
Samantha Butts followed with a triple to right cutting the Lady Eagles lead to 6-5, but that was as close as the Lady Govs would get, as Catie Cozart struck out swinging to end the game.
In Game 2, it was Morehead State who got out to the 2-0 lead, as the Lady Eagles scored one run in the fourth and fifth inning.
The first coming on the back side of a double steal, with Kayla Brill stealing home and the second on a home run by Samantha Woodall.
Austin Peay would tie the game in the sixth when Daniella Hooper opened the inning with a single and an out latter, pinch runner Detra Farley scored on Williams' second triple of the day.
Williams would latter score on Alverson's sacrifice fly to center.
The game would remain that way until the ninth, when Rebecca Butler led off the bottom of the inning for with a home run to center field.
-AP-
