ST. LOUIS – Shortstop Garrett Kueber scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning to give Austin Peay State University's baseball team a lead it would not relinquish in a 4-2 victory against South Dakota State, Friday afternoon at Billiken Sports Park.

Austin Peay (1-0) saw its offense rally just after South Dakota State's Newt Johnson tied the game, 2-2, with a leadoff home run in the top of the seventh. Kueber walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh and was moved over on a sacrifice bunt and deep fly out. With first baseman Parker Phillips at the plate, a pitch got past the Jackrabbits catcher and Kueber raced home and was ultimately called safe.

Phillips would ultimately walk and, after designated hitter Kyle Wilson's single, would score on left fielder Andrew Flaherty's single to set the final score.

Kueber ended the day responsible for three of Austin Peay's runs as part of a 1-for-4, two RBI outing. His two-run double in the second inning was the Govs first base hit and gave them a 2-1 lead.

Austin Peay starting pitcher Michael Costanzo struck out seven batters over five innings, limiting SDSU to one unearned run on a three hits and a walk. Reliever Brett Newberg (1-0) picked up the win after tossing 3.2 innings and allowing one run on four hits. Ross Walker retired the only batter he faced to notch the save in his Governors debut.

Johnson led South Dakota State with a 1-for-3, two RBI effort at the plate. His sacrifice fly in the first inning helped the Jackrabbits take advantage of two Austin Peay defensive miscues for an early 1-0 lead.

SDSU relief pitcher Austin Suhr (0-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing two runs in 3.2 innings. Starting pitcher Brady Stover allowed one hit but walked five in a three-inning outing.

GOVS NOTEBOOK.

JANSEEN WINS OPENER, AGAIN. With Friday's win, Austin Peay has made third-year head coach Travis Janssen a winner in each of his three season openers. It is the fourth consecutive year the Governors have won their season opener.

PITCHERS PICK RIGHT BACK UP. After a record-tying 460 strikeouts last season, the Governors pitchers picked up the story right where they left it, retiring 10 Jackrabbits via strikeout in Friday's opener. Austin Peay recorded 10 or more strikeouts 14 times last season posting a 7-7 record in those games.

CAT IN ATTENDANCE FOR ROOSTER'S FIRST SAVE. Making his first appearance as a Governor, Ross "Rooster" Walker retired the only batter he faced to end the game and notch a save. Appropriately his father Jamie "Cat" Walker, who played at Austin Peay from 1990-92 and enjoyed a 10-year Major League career, was in the crowd for Friday's season opener.

WHAT'S NEXT.

Austin Peay and South Dakota State will meet again in a 3 p.m., Saturday contest at the Billiken Sports Park. Left-hander Jacques Pucheu will make his season debut against South Dakota State right-hander Brady Moxham.