CLEMSON, S.C. – Starting pitcher Jacques Pucheu struck out a career-high tying 10 batters, but Austin Peay State University's baseball team saw nationally-ranked Clemson pull away in its final two innings for a 10-1 nonconference victory, Saturday, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Saturday's contest started as a pitcher's duel through six innings with Pucheu nearly matching Clemson starter Brooks Crawford stride for stride. Both starters would make it into the seventh inning with the host Tigers holding a 3-1 lead.
Clemson (38-13) struck first with shortstop Logan Davidson hitting a leadoff home run in the first inning. The Tigers would have an opportunity to extend the lead but Pucheu rallied to retire three consecutive batters with runners on the corners.
Austin Peay (30-21) waited until the third inning to level the score but did so with three consecutive singles. Catcher David Martinez, second baseman Garret Giovannelli and third baseman Garrett Kueber all hit safely, Kueber tying the game, 1-1.
The Tigers would break the tie in its half of the third, taking advantage of a leadoff walk, a Governors error and a wild pitch to plate a run. Clemson's lead would grow by another run in the fifth as another leadoff walk was plated on Davidson's double.
Austin Peay would twice get a runner in scoring position in the game's middle stages. Left fielder Kyle Wilson was that man in scoring position both times, reaching second on a fly ball error in the fourth and on a double in the sixth. However, the Governors were stymied in trying to score him each time by Crawford.
Clemson broke the game open in the seventh as the Governors battled some uneasiness on the diamond. Five consecutive Clemson batters reached base with one out and a pair of Austin Peay miscues aided a four-run frame.
Pucheu (7-2) scattered three hits in his 6.1-inning outing, striking out 10 and walking five batters en route to four runs allowed. His career-high tying 10 strikeouts included a nearly immaculate inning in the second where he struck out the side on 11 pitches.
Crawford (7-2) also struck out 10 batters while scattering four hits and walking none in his 6.2-inning effort. Reliever Carson Spiers threw 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings to secure his season's fourth save.
Davidson led the Clemson offense with a 3-for-3, four RBI, four-run scored outing that included a home run and a pair of doubles. Catcher Kyle Wilkie also went 2-for-3 with a RBI as the Tigers were held to six hits.
Martinez' 1-for-3 outing saw him score the Govs lone run as Kueber was 1-for-3 with a walk and a RBI.
GOVS, NOTABLY
PUCHEU'S SECOND 10-K. Starting pitcher Jacques Pucheu posted his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season against Clemson, matching his 10 strikeout performance against Southeast Misouri (March 31), but reaching the mark in one inning less of week.
TOWARD 100 Ks FOR PUCHEU. The 10-strikeout outing by Pucheu pushed him to 91 strikeouts on the season, one behind teammate Michael Costanzo. The duo are seeking to join alumnus Casey Delgado (105 Ks, 2013) in the 100-strikeout club.
WILSON KEEPS PLUGGING AWAY. With his sixth-inning double, left fielder Kyle Wilson extended his reached-safely streak to 21 games, the longest active streak by a Govs hitter. He also has an eight-game hitting streak (also the longest by a Govs).
NEXT UP
Austin Peay and Clemson now turn their attention to the rubber game of the three-game set, slated for noon (CT), Sunday. The Governors hand the ball to right-hander Brandon Vial (2-3, 6.29 ERA) while the Tigers will turn to left-hander Jake Higginbotham (6-1, 3.41 ERA).
