THE LEAD
CLARKSVILLE – Behind eight solid innings from starting pitcher Alex Robles, Austin Peay State University's baseball team handed Southeast Missouri its first Ohio Valley Conference loss, 6-1, Friday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game was a pitcher's duel through five and a half innings as both teams scored early but could not piece together a long rally against either starting pitcher.
That changed in the sixth when Southeast Missouri's defense committed three errors to aid the Austin Peay cause in a five-run frame. First baseman Dre Gleason's two-run single cashed in the Redhawks' first error. A second SEMO error led to two more runs, one scoring on its third error of the frame, giving APSU a 6-1 lead it would not relinquish.
It was more than enough help for Robles who went eight innings in a start for the first time this season. He retired 11 straight batters at one point and would eventually strike out seven of the 31 batters he faced while four hits – none coming after the second inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Robles, who made his 25th OVC start, improved to 3-0 all-time against Southeast Missouri. It was his sixth quality start in eight starts this season – each resulting in an APSU win. Robles also had two hits in a game which he was the starting pitcher for a second straight outing.
Right fielder Chase Hamilton picked the right time for his first three-hit outing of the season, going 3-for-4 with a RBI courtesy his second-inning double that tied the game. He also singled in the Govs big sixth-inning, a ball that Southeast Missouri booted and put APSU in business for the big frame.
Catcher Alex Sala notched his team-best fourth sacrifice fly and had his season's first sacrifice bunt in what was officially a 0-for-2, one RBI day at the plate.
Center fielder Patrick Massoni extended his hit streak to 13 games with a first-inning single. First baseman Dre Gleason extended his hit streak to 10 games with a fourth-inning single. They were 2-for-4 and 3-for-4, respectively, on the day.
Home Sweet Home indeed as Austin Peay won its eighth straight home game. The Govs improved to 12-3 at home this season, 7-0 in OVC play.
THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (17-11, 9-4 OVC) broke up a 1-1 pitcher's duel in the sixth inning, aided by a dose of Southeast Missouri defensive miscues. Center fielder Patrick Massoni started the rally with a leadoff single and with the game tied 1-1, the Govs attempted to sacrifice the runner to second.
Third baseman Ridge Smith put the bunt down but the throw to first sailed past the defender and into the tarp, putting Massoni at third base and Smith at second. First baseman Dre Gleason made SEMO pay for the miscue, batting in both runs with a single through the right side.
Southeast Missouri (21-9, 12-1 OVC) added to their woes with one out when right fielder Chase Hamilton singled to center field and the ball eluded the Redhawks defense, putting Govs runners at second and third. After a hit batsman loaded the bases, catcher Alex Sala drove in a run with a sacrifice run and shortstop Clayton Smithson saw a run score when he reached on an error. When the dust settled, Austin Peay had grabbed a 6-1 lead.
That was more than enough for Robles (6-2) who went a season-high eight innings in the win. He allowed a lone unearned run in the first inning when he allowed three consecutive singles, one leading to an APSU error. Robles then retired 11 consecutive batters from the third to the sixth innings to hold the Redhawks at bay.
Southeast Missouri would get lone base runners in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning against Robles. However, they saw their best scoring chance pass them by in the seventh when Robles worked around a leadoff hit batsman, stranding the runner at third base.
Robles struck out seven batters en route to his season's sixth win. He would allow four hits and walk two batters while facing 31 in eight innings. Reliever Jared Carkuff would allow a walk and hit a batter with one out in the ninth, but did not surrender a run.
Redhawks starter Joey Lucchesi (6-2) was the hard-luck loser after allowing six runs (two earned) on eight hits over six innings. He would strike out six batters and walk none in his outing.
Governors first baseman Dre Gleason and Hamilton each had three hits to pace the Govs 11-hit attack. Robles and Massoni also had two hits each.
Southeast Missouri first baseman Chris Caffrey went 1-for-4 with a RBI.
Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri continue their three-game series with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest. Austin Peay left-hander Michael Costanzo (4-2, 5.70 ERA) will square off against Southeast Missouri right-hander Clay Chandler (4-0, 1.61 ERA).
