CLARKSVILLE – Right fielder Nick Walker and catcher Alex Sala each hit first-inning home runs to lead Austin Peay State University's baseball team back from a four-run deficit to post a 19-5 nonconference win against Lipscomb, Tuesday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.
After Lipscomb scored four runs in the top of the first, Austin Peay (29-20) replied by sending nine men to the plate in the bottom of the frame. Walker hit a three-run home run and two batters later Sala supplied a two-run home run to give the Govs a 5-4 lead. Shortstop Bobby Head would add a run on a ground out and Austin Peay never trailed again.
Lipscomb (20-25) had an opportunity to regain the lead in the second inning, loading the bases with one out. Third baseman Zeke Dodson would hit a sacrifice fly, narrowing the deficit to a run, but Austin Peay starting pitcher Josh Rye struck out the next batter to end the threat.
Austin Peay broke the game open with a nine-run fourth inning. The Governors sent 13 men to the plate in the inning, the first six reaching base safely. Center fielder Imani Willis had a two-run double in the frame and two batters later third baseman Garrett Kueber added a two-run triple that gave Austin Peay a 16-5 lead.
The Govs pitching staff settled in after the first two innings, holding Lipscomb without a run over the final seven innings. Rye would pitch scoreless ball in the third and fourth innings. Reliever Ethan Clark (2-) would take over in the fifth and held Lipscomb to one hit in his two innings of work, striking out three for the victory.
Walker led the Govs with a 1-for-3, four RBI as he added a bases-loaded walk in the fourth to his three-run home run. Sala and Head had three RBI each and Kueber and Willis had two RBI a piece.
Lipscomb starter Erik Gutierrez went just one inning and allowed six runs on five hits and a walk and suffered the loss. Right fielder Josh Martinez went 3-for-3 to pace the Bisons six-hit output. First baseman Cade Sorrells lone hit was a first-inning three-run home run.Â
Austin Peay now packs its bags for a three-game road trip at nationally-ranked Clemson. The nonconference series begins with a 5:30 p.m. (CT), Friday contest at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
