NASHVILLE – Senior first baseman Dre Gleason hit a solo home run but Austin Peay State University's baseball team could not overcome an early deficit in an 8-4 nonconference loss to Vanderbilt, Tuesday night at Hawkins Field.
SILVER LININGS
Giovannelli Keeps Hitting. Second baseman Garrett Giovannelli extended his hit streak to 13 games with a 2-for-4 outing. However, his last five games have been on another level as the junior has batted.541 (13-for-24) with five consecutive multi-hit games. The burst has pushed his batting average up a remarkable 33 points in those five games.
Robles Also on a Streak. Utility man Alex Robles opened the Vanderbilt game with a single – his sixth consecutive base hit – and finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI. He now has a five-game hit streak that has seen him post an impressive .522 batting average (12-for-23) with nine RBI. That burst has pushed his average to .384 this season.
Gleason Hits No. 11. First baseman Dre Gleason's leadoff home run in the sixth inning was his 11th this season and first since April 14. It also was his 30th career home run, making him only the eighth Govs hitter to reach 30 home runs during their career. He joined teammate Chase Hamilton who reached the milestone during the UT Martin series.
Govs Into Top 3 in Home Runs. Gleason's solo blast also was the 65th Austin Peay home run in 2017. That ties its with last season's team for third-most home runs in a season and the Govs are just eight home runs from breaking the single-season record with 11 regular season games remaining.
THE FULL RECAP
Vanderbilt (27-17) proved opportunistic as it scored in each of the game's first four innings. The Commodores capitalized on four walks and hit batsman in those opening frames, scoring four of those free passes while building a 6-1 lead after four innings.
Austin Peay (20-22) scored its lone run in those opening frames thanks to center fielder Imani Willis, who walked then stole second before being balked to third base. Second baseman Garrett Giovannelli drove in the Govs Willis with a ground out.
The Governors would not strike again until the sixth inning when Gleason hit his season's 11th home run to lead off the frame, narrowing the deficit to 6-2. However, Vanderbilt would respond with a run of its own in the sixth and added another run in the eighth to extend its lead to 8-2.
Austin Peay put together its best threat of the contest in the ninth against Vanderbilt closer Reed Hayes. After a line-drive double play, Willis singled to left field to start the rally. Giovannelli was hit by a pitch and designated hitter Malcolm Tipler walked to load the bases. Third baseman Alex Robles supplied two runs on single up the middle, but Hayes would strike out the next Govs batter to end the threat.
Gleason finished the night 2-for-5 with a RBI and run scored. Robles also went 2-for-5 with two RBI while Giovannelli went 2-for-4.
Govs starter Caleb Powell (2-4) surrendered four runs on four hits and two walks over 2.2 innings and was tagged for the loss.
Vanderbilt first baseman Julian Infante had three RBI in his 1-for-4 outing with his RBI coming when he was hit by a pitch in the fourth, on a ground out in the sixth and a double in the eighth. Center fielder Jeren Kendall had and catcher Jason Delay each went 2-for-4.
Commodores starter Chandler Day (7-1), the first of six pitchers used by Vanderbilt in the contest, was credited with the win after two scoreless innings that saw him allow just two hits while striking out one batter.
Austin Peay returns home to start a four-game home stand when it hosts SIUE in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series scheduled to start with a 6 p.m., Friday contest.
