CLARKSVILLE – Left fielder Andrew Flaherty had two hits, including a home run, and three RBI but Austin Peay State University's baseball team could not solve No. 12 Vanderbilt in a 19-6 loss, Tuesday night at Hawkins Field.
Austin Peay (6-2) scored the game's first run with right fielder Nick Walker's sacrifice fly in the third inning. However, Vanderbilt scored the game's next 11 runs to break the game open.
The Governors would plate three runs in the fifth and two more in the eighth with Flaherty having a hand in both frames. He nearly left the park in the fifth, driving a ball six feet below the top of the high wall in left for a two-run double. In the eighth, Flaherty left no doubt with his leadoff home run easily clearing the left field wall.
Flaherty finished the night 2-for-4 with three RBI to pace the Govs six-run, six-hit attack. Center fielder Imani Willis had the Govs only other multi-hit outing, going 2-for-4.
Govs starting pitcher Harley Gollert (1-1) made his first collegiate start and was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs in 3.1 innings.
Vanderbilt third baseman Jayson Gonzalez went 4-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI. Second baseman Ethan Paul also had four RBI in his 3-for-6 outing.
Commodores starter Mason Hickman (2-0) notched the win hafter holding the Govs to one run on two hits in four innings work.
Flaherty continued his recent hot streak with a 2-for-4, two RBI effort. He nearly had two home runs in the affair but settled for a two-run double and a leadoff home run. Flaherty now owns a three-game hit streak that has seen him go 7-for-12 (.583) at the plate with two doubles and two home runs.
GOVS, NOTABLY
WILLIS ALSO STAYS HOT. Center fielder Imani Willis has two hits in each of the three games since he returned to the starting lineup in Game 2 of the Toledo series. He is 6-for-11 with two doubles, a home run and six RBI during the short burst.
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE. The Governors batters continued their patient ways at the plate, earning eight walks from a Vanderbilt pitching staff that entered the night ranked ninth nationally in fewest walks per nine innings (2.13). APSU has recorded five or more walks in every game this season.
MIDWEEK WOES. Austin Peay fell to 0-2 in midweek contests this season, the only losses it has suffered in its 6-2 start to 2018.
NEXT UP
Austin Peay returns home for a three-game series against Indiana State. The Sycamores are off to a 5-2 start in 2018 before their scheduled Wednesday contest at Vanderbilt. That start includes a 7-4 victory against Ohio Valley Conference member Belmont, Sunday.
A PICTURES WORTH
