CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Senior catcher Trey Lucas rapped out five RBI and Austin Peay's baseball team won 8-2 against Dayton, Saturday night, at Raymond C. Hand Park in the Riverview Inn Invitational.

Austin Peay improves to 7-3 overall, while Dayton fell to 4-7.

It marked the second straight day for a Govs hitter to reach the five RBI mark, as the Govs scored eight runs on 10 hits against the Flyers. Six of those runs came on three-straight two-run innings to start the game, in part due to a watchful eye from the Austin Peay bench.

"We faced good pitcher," head coach Gary McClure said. "His split-finger was very good and we told our guys they had to attack the fastball early. They did a good job of it and we were able to be successful against him."

Lucas jumped on it early often, going 3-for-4 at the plate, including a first-pitch two-run home run in the first inning. In the second inning, the senior catcher did with two outs, ripping a two-RBI single up the middle to score sophomore Michael Blanchard and junior Haskell Fink - who both reached on walks.

Freshman Reed Harper got in on the action later with a two-RBI double - on a two-strike count - with the bases loaded in the third inning. It was Harper's only hit of the night.

After being staked with a six-run lead, Austin Peay senior starter Ricky Marshall cruised through the first four innings, scattering three singles and a pair of walks. The right-hander allowed a two-out home run to Zach Jacob in the fifth, followed by a Cole Tyrell RBI-double, but came out stronger to start the sixth.

The Govs rallied around their starter, posting two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Jared DeLong scored on an RBI-double by Lucas and a Flyer error allowed Lucas to score with two outs.

Freshman Eric Davis came on for Marshall, with two outs, in the seventh. The right-hander loaded the bases before recording a strikeout to end the inning. Sophomore sidearmer Chuck Edlin pitched a scoreless eighth and senior Zach Gerler put on two runners in the ninth, but got a strikeout to end the game.

Dayton starter Mike Hauschild (0-1) was chased after three innings and took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits. Dan Welch and Joe Gayda each had two hits for the Flyers.

Marshall earned the win to improve to 3-0, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out six. The Govs bullpen allowed only two hits and two walks in the final 2.1 innings.

DeLong and freshman John Hogan each had two hits for the Govs, as well.

Austin Peay closes out the Riverview Inn Invitational with a 3 p.m., Sunday, game against future Ohio Valley Conference member SIU Edwardsville.

 

-AP-