JONESBORO, Ark. - Austin Peay's
baseball team begins a long stretch away from home when it meets Sun Belt
Conference member Arkansas State in a three-game weekend series, beginning with
a 6 p.m., Friday contest at Tomlinson Stadium. The two squads will play a 4
p.m, Saturday contest followed by a 1 p.m., Sunday series finale.
The Govs (7-4) have stumbled in their last four games,
posting a 3-4 mark. All aspects of Austin Peay's attach have struggled during
the stretch. The offense is batting just .297 but still averaging 7.9 runs per
game. The Govs pitchers are surrendering a 5.84 ERA but of more concern is
their collective 7.3 walks per game they have issued during the stretch.
Individually, the Govs freshman duo of second baseman
Jordan Hankins and outfielder Rolando Gautier have impressed early on. Hankins
has raced out to a .590 average after going hitless for the first time this
season, Wednesday, against South Dakota State. Gautier has nine extra-base hits
during his current 10 game hit streak, including his first collegiate home run,
Wednesday.
However, Austin Peay's old guard has not remained silent
either. Junior outfielder Michael Blanchard is second on the team with a .448
batting average and has a nine-game hit streak entering the weekend. Sophomore
first baseman John Hogan has been on a tear in the Govs last five games,
batting .474 with 10 RBI.
On the mound, the Govs will turn to a trio of
left-handers - sophomore Zach Toney, senior Jack Snodgrass and junior Jeremy Dobbs - to start the weekend's three games. Toney will get the weekend started
for APSU with two starts under his belt, including his season's first victory
against Eastern Michigan, March 4. Snodgrass returns to the mound after an
impressive outing at Mississippi, March 1, where he struck out seven over 6.2
innings while allowing just one run before the bullpen surrendered the lead
late. Dobbs is penciled in for his season's first start after making three relief
appearances this season.
Arkansas State (6-8) is amidst a eight-game home stand
and has won their last two outings, including a 6-5 victory against Missouri
State, Wednesday. The Red Wolves are 2-0 against Ohio Valley Conference teams
this year, winning a pair of midweek contests against Murray State earlier this
season.
Ryan Emery leads Arkansas State's offense with a .425
batting average but is just one of two players batting over .300 this season.
The Red Wolves offense has gotten off to a slow start, with a team .247 batting
average while scoring just 4.2 runs per game.
The Red Wolves strength lies with its pitching staff
which enters the weekend with a 4.15 ERA and 105 strikeouts against a stingy 40
walks (2.9 per game). Friday's starter Andy Ferguson will make his third start
this season after averaging only 5.5 innings pitched in his first two outings.
Jacob Lee, Saturday's starter, has been ASU's hard-luck hurler with an 0-2 mark
despite a 3.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 18.0 innings pitched. Sunday starter
Brad Allen has two of the team's six wins this season and holds a 3.72 ERA in
19.1 innings pitched.
NOTES FROM THE WEEK THAT WAS
Austin Peay split a pair of
contests with South Dakota State, winning 10-7 on Tuesday before dropping a 4-2
contest Wednesday... Junior outfielder Michael Blanchard and sophomore first baseman John Hogan each had four hits... Hogan batted
.444 with three RBI, a triple and a home run... Blanchard also had a triple and
three stolen bases... Freshman second baseman Jordan Hankins had two hits Tuesday before being
held hitless Wednesday and ending his 10-game hit streak... APSU's defense
committed four errors in the two-game set, allowing six unearned runs... The Govs
pitching staff posted a 4.50 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 18 innings, but also
walked 11 and hit three batters.
COMING UP: TENNESSEE
The Govs return to Raymond C. Hand
Park and host Tennessee in their only home game in the upcoming stretch of 12
games. Austin Peay won the previous meeting between the two teams, 5-3, in
Knoxville during the 2009 season.
