BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Brandon Kelley had a pinch-hit double and scored but it was the only run Austin Peay State University's baseball team would muster in a 5-1 loss to Samford, Wednesday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
Austin Peay (8-5) will look back at the first inning as an opportunity that got away and haunted it most of the night. The Governors saw three of its first four batters walk, loading the bases with one out. However, Samford starter Tristan Widra would strike out the next two batters he faced to end the Governors threat.
Governors starter Tyler Thompson (0-2) would strike out the side in the first and tacked on two more strikeouts in a scoreless second. However, Samford (7-7) opened the third with four consecutive base hits off the righty, second baseman Troy Dixon and designated hitter Anthony Mulrine providing run-scoring singles in a four-run outburst for a 4-0 lead.
Widra (1-1) settled down after his rocky first inning would not allow a hit in four innings, working around five walks he issued. He made way for reliever Jake Greer who was greeted rudely by Kelley, the first batter he faced, who placed his double just inside the left field line. The Governors followed with a pair of ground outs to drive in Kelley to break up the shutout.
Greer and two other Samford relievers would combine to retire 12 consecutive batters until Austin Peay saw first baseman Parker Phillips open the ninth by reaching on an error followed by left fielder Andrew Flaherty's single – the Govs second hit. But a pair of APSU fly outs ended the contest.
Kelley and Flaherty had the Govs only hits in the contest and five different Govs reached via a walk. Four Austin Peay pitchers combined to strike out 11 Samford hitters, Thompson striking out six and walking none in his 3.1 inning outing.
First baseman Brooks Carlson went 3-for-4 to pace Samford's 11-hit attack. Mulrine ended the night 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Kelley stepped to the plate in the fifth inning facing Samford reliever Jake Greer and wasted no time breaking up the Bulldogs no-hit bid, lifting the second pitch he saw down the left field line for a leadoff double – his first collegiate extra-base hit. He would then break up the shutout when he scored on Garrett Giovannelli's ground out. Kelley finished the day 1-for-2 with a run scored.
GOVS, NOTABLY
BACK TO THE WALKING BUSINESS. After being held to two walks at Ole Miss, Tuesday, the Governors rallied for three walks to start the Samford contest. Austin Peay ultimately earned five walks in the contest, the 12th time in the season's first 13 games it has earned at least five walks.
DOUBLE-DIGIT Ks. Starter Tyler Thompson racked up six strikeouts in his third career start, setting the tone for an 11-strikeout performance by the Govs pitchers. It is the first time the Govs pitching staff has posted double-digit strikeouts in a midweek contest and the seventh time this season it has notched 10 or more strikeouts in a contest.
NEXT UP
Austin Peay now turns its attention to its Ohio Valley Conference-opening series against Jacksonville State, Friday-Sunday at Choccolocco Park in Oxford. The three-game set opens with an 11 a.m., Friday contest. Governors left-hander Michael Costanzo (2-0) is scheduled to start the series opener. Â
