CLARKSVILLE – Designated hitter Parker Phillips hit a grand slam to punctuate a seven-run second inning as Austin Peay State University's baseball team posted a 15-8 series-opening victory against Indiana State, Friday, at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay (7-2) sent 10 men to the plate in the second frame, opening with first baseman Andrew Flaherty's double. Third baseman Malcolm Tipler drove in a run with a single before second baseman Garrett Giovannelli (walk) and right fielder Nick Walker (hit by pitch) each reached base with the bases loaded to drive in a run. Phillips followed with his grand slam to put a period on the seven-run outburst.
The outburst provided all the support Governors starting pitcher Michael Costanzo (2-0) would need. After allowing a double in a two-run first inning, the senior lefty would not allow another hit until the sixth inning en route to the win. Costanzo would finish with a career-high tying seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out eight.
The Governors offense would tack on two runs in the fourth when Giovannelli would lift a home run to left field to secure the victory. A four-run sixth was paced by pinch hitter Aaron Campbell's two-run single and extended the lead to 13-2.
Indiana State (5-4) would rally for five runs, courtesy four run-scoring doubles, in the ninth to tighten the score. Second baseman Jarrod Watkins capped the rally with a RBI single to finish the day 2-for-4 with a RBI.
Sycamores starter Tristan Weaver (1-1) was tagged for nine runs on six hits and four walks to suffer his season's first loss.
Phillips ended the day 1-for-5 and four RBI while Giovannelli chipped in a 2-for-4 with another four RBI.
Costanzo tied his career high with a seven-inning outing, a mark he's reached four times in his career. After allowing a double in the first inning he would allow just one baserunner – via an infield error – over the next 17 batters he faced until allowing a one-out single in the sixth. Costanzo struck out eight of the 25 batters he faced, his second-straight week with eight strikeouts. He scattered two hits in his start, his fewest allowed in a start since his Feb. 26, 2016 outing against Alcorn State.
GOVS, NOTABLY
GRAND SLAM TALK. Parker Phillips' second-inning grand slam was the Govs second in 2018, the same total they had in their record-breaking 84-home run 2017 campaign. Coincidentally, one of those two grand slams came off Phillips' bat – which also was his last home run before Friday's slam.
KEEP ON WALKING. Austin Peay's batters continue to rack up walks at a prodigious rate, earning eight walks against Indiana State pitching. It is the fourth time the Govs have worked eight or more walks in a game and they have earned five or more walks in every game this season.
DOUBLE-DIGIT Ks. Led by Costanzo's eight-strikeout performance, Governors pitchers struck out 11 Sycamores in Friday's contest. It is Austin Peay's fifth double-digit strikeout performance in the season's first nine games.
UNBLEMISHED WEEKENDS. Friday's win kept the Govs unbeaten in weekend play, improving to 7-0 on games played Friday-Sunday.
NEXT UP
Austin Peay and Indiana State continue their three-game series with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park. The Governors will send lefty Jacques Pucheu (1-0) to the mound while the Sycamores will counter with left-hander Triston Polley (2-0).
