MURRAY, Ky ? Sophomore right-hander Ryne Harper bested one of the nation's top pitchers in the day's second game, but it proved to be too little to late as Austin Peay's baseball team saw its OVC tournament hopes die despite splitting an OVC doubleheader at Murray State, Friday afternoon. The Govs dropped the series opener, 4-2, before capturing the second game, 7-5.
Harper was the day's bright spot, making his first OVC start since April 18. He missed the Govs previous two OVC series after suffering an injury just prior to his scheduled start against Southeast Missouri, April 25. Harper tested his readiness in the Govs victory at Lipscomb, Tuesday, throwing 17 pitches in one inning of work. However, none of that foretold Friday's effort.
Squaring off against Murray State's Daniel Calhoun ? one of 15 semifinalists for the National Pitcher of the Year award presented by The College Baseball Foundation ? Harper (4-3) put together his season's finest outing, tossing five scoreless innings before surrendering two runs in the sixth en route to his season's fourth victory. He limited Murray State ? the league's second-best hitting squad ? to six hits while striking out five over his six innings.
Meanwhile, Calhoun (10-3) saw his defense betray his efforts at recording an 11th victory this season. Thoroughbred errors in the third and fourth innings resulted in five unearned runs and allowed the Govs to sprint out to a 7-0 lead after four innings. The Govs did pound out eight hits off Calhoun, including four doubles and a third-inning home run by right fielder Daniel Baggett, but the bulk of the damage came after key MSU errors in both innings.
Murray State's offense attempted to make a late charge, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh off APSU relief pitching and even brought the potential game-winning run to the plate with two outs. However, the Govs turned to closer Daniel Tenholder who induced a harmless pop out to record his season's ninth save.
Murray State jumped out front in the day's first game, first baseman Wes Cunningham belting a two-run home run to right field for the early 2-0 lead. Two innings later, MSU scored the eventual game-winning run after receiving a one-out walk, followed by Cunningham's double to set up right fielder Daniel Hill's RBI groundout. The Racers tacked on an insurance run in the seventh on a bases loaded walk from Tenholder who just entered the game in relief.
Austin Peay starter Ricky Marshall (4-3) had trouble with the ?Breds top five hitters the entire contest, ultimately surrendering six hits to the top half of the order. He picked up the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out four.
Murray State starter Chris Craycraft worked in and out of trouble throughout the contest, with his defense providing a large dose of support. The ?Breds turned four double plays in the contest and their two errors were wiped out successfully.
Austin Peay also helped the MSU starter by failing to execute when necessary. The Govs left a runner on third in the second after the ?Breds turned their first double play. They then failed to advance a runner on a sacrifice bunt attempt, instead popping the ball up to be caught by MSU's Cunningham.
Craycraft (10-2) reached the 10-win plateau with his season's third complete-game performance. He scattered nine hits and did not walk an APSU hitter while striking out three.
The Govs offense posted 17 hits off one of the OVC's best pitching tandems. Left fielder Adam Browett recorded three hits in the doubleheader. Four other Govs had two hits each, including Baggett's 2-for-4 game-one performance ? and 11 players finished the day with at least one hit. In addition eight different APSU hitters had a double with Baggett recording a double and a home run.
Despite capturing one of its two games, Austin Peay saw its OVC tournament appearance streak end at 10 seasons courtesy a wild afternoon around the OVC. Morehead State swept its doubleheader at Southeast Missouri, moving from sixth place to fourth. Eastern Kentucky split its doubleheader at Eastern Illinois and moved into a tie for sixth place with Jacksonville State which was swept at home by last-place Tennessee Martin.
Austin Peay and Murray State ? which secured second place with Friday's action ? will conclude their regular-season slates with a 1 p.m., Saturday, series finale.
NOTES: The Govs game two victory was McClure's 650th victory as a head coach ? all coming during his 22 seasons as Austin Peay head coach... Austin Peay did not receive a walk from either Craycraft or Calhoun, Saturday, but only struck out seven times... Freshman Jon Clinard was caught stealing for the first time this season in game one but recovered with two stolen bases in the night cap.
-AP-
