CLARKSVILLE – Second baseman Bobby Head hit a home run in his second consecutive game, but Austin Peay State University could not quell a late Belmont charge in an 11-3 Ohio Valley Conference series-opening loss, Friday night on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.
MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Belmont starter Casey Quener was locked in early against the Governors, retiring the first seven batters he faced. Designated hitter Matt Joslin broke the Bruins starter's spell with a walk. But it was Bobby Head, the next batter up, that broke the shutout up. Waiting on a 2-0 pitch, the sophomore second baseman belted a drive deep into the dark and off the James Corlew video board in left center.
WATER COOLER CHATTER
QUALITY RYE. Govs starter Josh Rye put together his first quality start of 2019, going a season-best six innings and allowing three runs while striking out six. It was the third consecutive start of five-plus innings by the redshirt senior.
HEAD"S STREAKS CONTINUE. With his solo home run in the third inning, second baseman Bobby Head no only had a home run in a second-straight game but also extended two other streaks. He posted a hit and a RBI in his sixth consecutive game.
ROLL THAT BEAUTIFUL HIGHLIGHT FOOTAGE
WHAT THE RESULT MEANS
Friday's loss pushed the Govs out of the three-way tie for second place, but Morehead State also suffered a loss in its series against UT Martin. Austin Peay will enter Saturday's outing alone in third place, two games behind league-leading Belmont.
THE REST OF THE STORY
Both starting pitchers were mainly in control through the first five innings. Governors starter Josh Rye recovered from a rough first inning, tossing four scoreless frames to keep the Bruins close. Meanwhile, Belmont starter Casey Queener retired the first eight batters he faced before allowing a two-out solo home run to Head. But Queener also recovered and struck out six of the next nine batters he faced to keep Belmont in the lead, 2-1.
Belmont (13-12, 8-2 OVC) extended its lead with two runs in the sixth. Shortstop Grayson Taylor earned a one-out walk and scored on left fielder Hunter Holland's double. Holland would later score on a stolen base and an error, giving the Bruins a 4-1 advantage.
Austin Peay (12-12, 6-4 OVC) returned the favor in its half of the sixth. Third baseman Gino Avros walked to start the frame, but Queener struck out the next two batters to get within sight of escaping. But center fielder Garrett Spain was hit by a pitch and catcher David Martinez walked to load the bases. A passed ball allowed Avros to score and moments later left fielder Malcolm Tipler singled to get the Govs back within a run, 4-3.
Belmont would break the game open in the seventh against the Governors bullpen. The Bruins sent nine batters to the plate but posted just two hits as they took advantage of three walks and a hit batter to strike for five runs, extending the lead to 9-3.
Rye (3-3) pieced together his longest outing of the season in a losing effort. He allowed four runs on four hits while striking out six. The Govs bullpen was tagged for seven runs on five hits and five walks over the final three innings.
Queener (3-0) struck out 11 of the 25 batters he faced over his six-inning outing, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks.
Belmont designated hitter Chandler Adkins, right fielder Devon Gardner and left fielder Hunter Holland each had two RBI. Second baseman Zach Ehrhart went 3-for-5 to pace a nine-hit Belmont attack.
Martinez and Head each went 2-for-3 to lead the Governors offense which finished with five hits.
Austin Peay and Belmont will continue their three-game series with a rescheduled 10 a.m., Saturday contest at Hand Park. The Govs will turn to left-hander Jacques Pucheu (3-0, 1.22 ERA) as they attempt to level the set. The Bruins will have right-hander Joshua South (2-2, 2.81 ERA) on the mound.
