THE LEAD
CLARKSVILLE – Starting pitcher Caleb Powell supplied six quality innings while Austin Peay State University's baseball team supported him with its season's best offensive performance in a 14-1 nonconference victory against Northern Illinois, Wednesday night, at Raymond C. Hand Park.
THE GOVERNING MOMENTS
Austin Peay struck first, scoring three runs in the third inning. Catcher Ridge Smith delivered the inning's big blow with a two-run home run to left field.
The Govs would tack on two runs in the fifth, four runs in the sixth and a big five-run eighth inning as they put forth their best offensive outing this season with 14 runs on 17 hits.
Starter Caleb Powell gave Austin Peay a quality start, allowing one run in six innings while allowing just four hits.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Govs starting nine was a completely different group as several regulars missed the game due to illness or for rest. TJ Conroy got the nod at third base for the first time this season. The Govs outfield saw the combination of Josh Wilson in left, Imani Willis in center and Chase Hamilton in right.
Powell's quality start was the fourth consecutive quality start by a Govs pitcher. APSU starting pitching has now allowed just five earned runs in its last 27 innings pitched – a 1.67 earned-run average in that span.
Six Governors hitters had a multi-hit outing: second baseman Garrett Copeland, Conroy, Smith, designated hitter Alex Robles, Wilson and Hamilton each had two hits.
THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (9-6) could not get started in the first two innings despite seeing its leadoff hitters get aboard in both frame. The script changed in the third inning as the leadoff hitter was retired, but the Govs rallied as the next three batters reached base.
Second baseman Garrett Copeland started the rally with a walk, stole second base and advanced to third on an error. He would score the game's first run when third baseman TJ Conroy singled down the left field line. The Govs lead quickly became 3-0 when catcher Ridge Smith launched his season's sixth home run over the wall in left.
Powell (1-1) kept Northern Illinois in check through the first four innings. He retired the first nine batters he faced before surrendering a leadoff single in the fourth. Powell would allow a single later in the inning but ended the threat, first with a fly out then by catching a batter looking at a third strike.
Northern Illinois (2-14) would get its third hit of the game when right fielder Stephen Letz led off the frame with a home run. Powell did not allow the Huskies to rally, using four pitches to retire the next three batters. He would allow a single to start the sixth and saw an error extend the inning, but got a line drive out and a double play to end the threat and his outing.
The Govs offense added a pair of runs in the fifth as first baseman Dre Gleason extended his hit streak to 13 games with a RBI double and right fielder Chase Hamilton drove in a run with a single.
However, it was Austin Peay's four-run sixth that put the game safely away. Conroy, Robles and Wilson each had run-producing hits in an inning extended by a Northern Illinois error on a potential double-play ball. After the dust settled, the Govs held a 9-1 lead that would not be challenged.
Powell picked up his season's first win after allowing one run while scattering four hits in six innings. Relievers John Sparks and CJ Burrow closed out the contest on the mound.
Conroy, Smith and shortstop Clayton Smithson each had two RBI to pace the Austin Peay offense, which posted season bests in runs scored and hits. The Govs 17-hit outing saw six hits post two hits each.
Huskies starter Kevin Jones (0-1) lasted just three innings, allowing three runs on five hits, and was tagged for the loss. Northern Illinois' offense was held to five hits by the three Govs pitchers, center fielder Justin Fletcher and catcher Johnny Zubek each posting 2-for-4 outings.
Austin Peay begins a four-game road trip with a early pivotal Ohio Valley Conference series at Jacksonville State. The meeting between the two squads that are 3-0 in league play begins with a 6 p.m., Friday contest at Rudy Abbott Field.
