BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Austin Peay State University's softball team had to rally on three different occasions versus IUPUI, Sunday at the WKU Softball Complex in the consolation game of the WKU Hilltopper Spring Fling, with the last coming in extra innings as the Govs won in walk-off fashion, 11-10.
The Govs (6-10) had forced extra innings by scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a two-run single by Emily Harkleroad to tie the game 8-8.
But IUPUI (3-12) responded in extra innings by scoring two runs on three hits in the top of the eighth, to take their third lead of the contest.
But like the first two times the Govs found a way to answer, with Kelsey Gray and Bailey Shorter opening the bottom of the eighth with back-to-back singles, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Brooke Pfefferle to put the potential tying runs in scoring position, with one out.
Gray would then score on a wild pitch, to make it a one run game, 10-9, with Lexi Osowski tying the game two pitches later with a double to score Shorter.
Osowski would finish the game 4-for-5 at the plate, including two doubles, a home run, three runs scored and four RBIs.
After a walk to Katelyn Smith, the Jaguars would get the second out of the inning looking to force yet another extra inning, but Drew Dudley hammered a 1-2 pitch back up the middle to score Osowski with the walk-off game winner.
IUPUI had jumped on the Govs early to start the game, scoring two first inning runs, before APSU answered back with one of their own in the bottom of the inning on Shorter's home run to open the frame.
The Jaguars would extend their lead to 4-1 with two more runs in the top of the third inning, with the Govs tying the game for the first time in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer by Osowski after Shorter and made it 4-2 with an RBI single earlier in the inning.
IUPUI would retake the lead in the top of the fifth inning, 8-4, by scoring four runs aided by three walks and a hit batter.
Austin Peay would cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning, scoring twice on RBI singles by Shorter and Pfefferle to make it 8-6.
Harley Mullins (2-5) got the win for the Govs, going 6.1 innings and giving up 11 hits and six runs – only four earned – while walking one and striking out four.
The Govs, after four road weekends and 16 games, will open the home part of their 2020 schedule this coming weekend, as they host the Governors Classic at Cathi Maynard Park-Cheryl Holt Field.
Inside the Boxscore
- Drew Dudley's walk-off game-winning hit was her third game-winning hit of the year and ninth over all in the last two seasons.
- The walk-off win was the second of the year for Austin Peay (Louisiana Tech on Feb. 15).
- The extra-inning win was the first for the Govs since they defeated McNeese, 2-1, in 16 innings on Feb. 23, 2019.
- The four hits and four runs scored by Bailey Shorter were both career single-game highs.
- The four hits and four RBIs by Lexi Osowski were both career single-game highs.
- Kelsey Gray started both come-from-behind rallies in the seventh and eighth innings for the Govs with singles.
Coach Kassie Stanfill Statements
On the wild game, finish
"It had to be an exciting game to watch and be a part of. Our girls showed a lot of fight and grit and were just happy we came out on top. We had some clutch hits; some great base running and we found a way to pull it out."
On Lexi Osowski's big weekend at the plate
"You could tell that when Lexi stepped into the (batters) box she was comfortable; she knew what her job was and just hit the ball hard somewhere every single time and she was just the spark of the offense."
On finally playing at home
"We're excited to be at home this coming weekend and it's always exciting to get to play in front of the home crowd and with all the support they give us. We haven't had a home tournament in quite a while and we're excited to get a chance to show what Austin Peay's about, have some fun and get some wins."
