THE LEAD
NASHVILLE – For the first time since March 2015, Austin Peay State University's baseball team was shutout as Belmont starter Andrew Quillen tossed seven shutout innings in a 15-0 Ohio Valley Conference decision, Friday night at E.S. Rose Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Quillen stole the show for Belmont, striking out 16 of the 27 batters he faced in just seven innings. He struck out the side in the second, fifth and sixth innings – turning the trick in order in that sixth frame.
Belmont's offense greeted Austin Peay starter Alex Robles with three extra base hits to start the game with a 2-0 lead. The Bruins tacked on three runs in the second and the rout was on.
Austin Peay had its best chance to score in the fifth inning as Quillen walked the bases loaded, but could not capitalize as Quillen recovered with a strikeout to end the threat. The Govs finally broke up the no-hit bid in the seventh when pinch hitter Logan Gray led off the frame with a single.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The silver lining to the Govs day was on defense as they turned a school-record five double plays. Shortstop Clayton Smithson and second baseman Garrett Copeland were involved in all five twin killings. APSU has turned nine double plays in its last two games.
Austin Peay was shutout for the first time since March 17, 2015 when it suffered a 3-0 nonconference loss at Tennessee. It was the Govs first conference shutout since May 16, 2014, a 1-0 loss at SIUE.
Quillen's 16 strikeouts were the most by an individual pitcher against the Govs since Vanderbilt alumnus David Price struck out 17 batters in a NCAA regional tournament contest (June 1, 2007). APSU's 18 strikeouts in the game were its most since striking out 19 times against UT Martin (May 10, 2014).
THE FULL RECAP
Quillen stole the show from the game's outset as he retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced, striking out eight. Only starting center fielder Chase Hamilton avoided the strikeout bug over the opening four innings, earning a two-out walk in the second.
Austin Peay (19-13, 10-6 OVC) would get its best scoring opportunity in the fifth inning as Quillen battled his control. The Bruins starter would walk the bases loaded, but Austin Peay still could not break through as he struck out the side around the trio of walks.
Belmont (20-13, 9-4 OVC) had no problems offensively, opening the game with three consecutive extra-base hits against APSU starter Alex Robles. Left fielder Tyler Fullerton capped the rally with a two-run double, giving the Bruins a quick 2-0 lead. One inning later, Fullerton's two-out bloop fly eluded the Govs defense, driving in three runs to break the game open.
The only drama left in the contest was Quillen's bid for a no-hitter. Austin Peay pinch hitter Logan Gray brought that bid to an end with a leadoff single in the seventh. Quillen would surrender a second base hit to pinch hitter Caleb Mitchell, but appropriately ended his outing with a strikeout to end the seventh.
Quillen (5-2) held the Govs scoreless over seven innings, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out 16. He struck out the side three times in the contest, including in order in the sixth. It was the most strikeouts recorded by an individual pitcher since Vanderbilt alumnus David Price struck out 17 Governors hitters in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.
Fullerton led Belmont's offense with a 3-for-4, five RBI performance, adding a RBI single in the sixth inning before his day ended. First baseman Chas Hadden went 3-for-3 with three RBI. The Bruins finished with 16 hits.
Robles (6-3) suffered his roughest outing of the season, surrendering 10 runs (nine earned) on 12 hits and two walks over 5.1 innings.
Austin Peay's defense was its lone bright spot, turning a program-record five double plays in the contest – three ending innings. Second baseman Garrett Copeland and shortstop Clayton Smithson combined on all five of the twin killings.
Austin Peay will seek to bounce back when it continues the three-game OVC set against Belmont with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest at Rose Park.
