THE LEAD
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Junior second baseman Garrett Copeland went 5-for-5 and Austin Peay State University's baseball team pounded out a season-high 22 hits in a 16-10 nonconference victory against Southern Illinois, Tuesday night, at Itchy Jones Stadium.
THE GOVERNING MOMENTS
Austin Peay's fifth consecutive win was decided in the first two innings as the Govs struck for two runs in each frame in the wire-to-wire win. The Govs added four runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, extending the lead to 8-3 before breaking the game open with an eight-run eighth.
On the mound, starter Caleb Powell was credited with his third consecutive victory after tossing two scoreless innings. He was followed by six relievers in a staff day for the Govs.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Austin Peay won its fifth consecutive game – its longest win streak of the campaign – while also winning a second straight road game for the first time this season.
Copeland's 5-for-5 outing was the first by a Govs hitter since Ridge Smith's 5-for-5 performance at Eastern Kentucky last season.
The Govs continued to pound out doubles, adding six to improve their Division I leading average to 2.83 doubles per game (65 doubles in 23 games).
Austin Peay also added a pair of home runs to its tally as Copeland and catcher Alex Sala each hit a solo shot at Southern Illinois. The Govs have 31 home runs in 23 games.
THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (14-9) left little doubt whether it brought its bats on the road as Copeland opened the game with a triple. Center fielder Patrick Massoni drove in the game's first run with a sacrifice fly and was promptly followed by third baseman Ridge Smith's double. Two batters later, designated hitter Alex Robles drove in the second run with another sacrifice fly.
The Govs doubled their lead in the second, again sending six men to the plate. Copeland supplied the third run with a RBI single and Massoni followed with a run-scoring fielder's choice, pushing the APSU lead to 4-0.
Southern Illinois (14-9-1) got a run back off the Govs bullpen in the third inning as center fielder Dyllin Mucha reached on a leadoff single. Left fielder Greg Lambert drove in the run with a two-out double, cutting the Govs lead to 4-1.
Austin Peay responded by scoring in each of the next three innings. Copeland kept up the hit parade with a RBI single in the fourth and a solo home run in the sixth. In between, the Salukis defense committed an error that helped the Govs score two runs. After six innings, Austin Peay held an 8-3 lead.
The game turned messy in the eighth as the two teams combined for 14 runs on 12 hits in the frame. The Govs got the better part of the deal when they send 14 men to the plate for eight runs. Southern Illinois was able to get six runs back but could not close the gap further.
Austin Peay starter Caleb Powell (3-1) won his third straight start with two scoreless innings, holding SIU to three hits. The Govs used six pitchers out of the bullpen after Powell departed.
Copeland's 5-for-5 outing saw him reach base in all six plate appearances as he added walk in the eighth. He fell a double shy of the cycle with three singles, a triple and a home run. It was the first 5-for-5 by a Govs hitter since Ridge Smith turned the trick at Eastern Kentucky last season.
First baseman Dre Gleason added four hits and Smith had three hits. Eleven Austin Peay hitters recorded a hit in the contest and eight finished with at least one RBI.
SIU starter Bryce Sablotny (2-2) allowed seven runs on 10 hits in five innings and was tagged for the loss.
Lambert led the Salukis offense with a 3-for-4, three RBI performance. Designated hitter Braden Mosley went 2-for-5 with three RBI.
Austin Peay continues its five-game road trip when it meets Tennessee Tech in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series this weekend. The conference set begins with a 6 p.m., Friday contest in Cookeville, Tennessee.
