THE LEAD
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Third baseman Logan Gray worked a bases-loaded walk and right fielder Chase Hamilton hit a two-run double in the 10th inning to lead Austin Peay State University's baseball team to a 7-4 come-from-behind, extra-inning victory against SIUE, Sunday, in Ohio Valley Conference action at Simmons Baseball Complex. .The Governors swept the three-game OVC set which also ended their regular-season conference slate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SIUE jumped out quickly, scoring two runs in both the first and second innings against Austin Peay starter Michael Costanzo. Cougars' right fielder Logan Andersen hit a two-run home run in the second for a 4-1 SIUE lead.
Costanzo made an adjustment and did not allow a run over his next five innings and retired 13 consecutive batters to end his seven-inning outing – his best on the road this season.
Austin Peay chipped away with single runs in the third and fifth innings before tying the game in the seventh when first baseman Dre Gleason hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly.
The game would go to extra innings tied 4-4 but Austin Peay showed its patience in the 10th. The Govs saw six of its nine batters in the frame earn a walk. Gray broke the tie with his bases-loaded walk before Hamilton added two key insurance runs with a double to set the final score.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Austin Peay posted just its third win this season when trailing after six innings, improving to 3-17. The Governors also remained unbeaten in extra-inning contests with all three victories coming in road contests.
Costanzo remained winless on the road, but put forth his longest road outing of the season. His seven innings pitched equaled his home outings against Eastern Illinois (March 12) and Alcorn (Feb. 26).
Hamilton hit a home run in all three games of the series and he finished the weekend with a team-best 12 home runs.
Sixteen of the Govs 45 base hits went for extra bases – five doubles, two triples and an impressive nine home runs. Besides Hamilton's outing, shortstop Clayton Smithson had two home runs with first baseman Dre Gleason, catcher Ridge Smith, second baseman Garrett Copeland and third baseman Logan Gray each adding one home run.
The Governors bullpen did not allow an earned run in eight innings of work at SIUE, allowing just six hits while striking out nine.
Austin Peay's sweep of SIUE was its fourth this season. The Govs also own sweeps of Eastern Illinois, Murray State and Eastern Kentucky.
THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (31-18, 21-9 OVC) faced a 4-3 deficit after six innings – a situation that they had overcome just twice in 19 tries this season. Still, the Govs rallied to tie the game in the seventh when three straight batters reached safely with one out. First baseman Dre Gleason leveled the score, 4-4, with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.
Neither team would score over the remainder of regulation. SIUE (9-37, 6-30 OVC) had the best opportunity down the stretch, placing two runners on base with one out in the eighth. The Govs turned to closer Jared Carkuff who promptly induced a fly out and then struck out a batter to end the threat.
The Governors wore the Cougars bullpen out with its patience in the 10th. Five of the first six batters earned walks to start the frame, resulting in the tie-breaking run when Gray watched four straight balls for a bases-loaded walk. Right fielder Chase Hamilton followed with a double into the right-center gap that bounced over the wall for a two-run, ground-rule double and a 7-4 APSU lead.
Carkuff (5-0) shut the door in the 10th, allowing only a two-out walk before getting a fly out to end the game. He picked up the win in relief after tossing 2.2 scoreless, hitless innings while striking out two.
Austin Peay starter Michael Costanzo was left with no decision despite posting his best start in a road contest this season. He would allow two runs in both the first and second innings. SIUE built a 4-1 lead when right fielder Logan Andersen hit a two-run home run in the second.
But Costanzo made an adjustment on the mound after the second, moving to the first base side of the rubber, and the effect was immediate. He would allow a two-out single in the third before beginning a stretch where he retired the final 13 batters he faced. That stretch allowed the Govs offense more than enough time to construct its come-back effort.
Hamilton finished the day 3-for-6 with three RBI, including a third-inning solo home run and his insurance two-run double in the 10th.Gleason went 2-for-2 with a walk and his game-tying sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Austin Peay finished the game with 14 hits and won despite stranding 14 men on base. The Govs also had 10 walks in the contest – six coming in the fateful 10th inning.
Andersen paced SIUE with a 2-for-5, two RBI outing. After the first 10 batters posted five hits through 1.2 innings, the Cougars were held to three hits over its final 30 plate appearances, finishing the game with eight hits.
SIUE reliever Zach Malach (1-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing three runs on four walks and a base hit over 1.2 innings. Starter Brandon Tatum did not factor into the decision after holding Austin Peay to two runs on four hits over the opening three innings.
Austin Peay's final week of regular-season play will take it out of conference action. The Govs are scheduled to travel to Lipscomb for a 6 p.m., Tuesday contest. Austin Peay then closes out the slate with a three-game home series against Big 12 foe Oklahoma, beginning with a 6 p.m., Thursday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.
