CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's softball team will closeout its recent homestand with a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series versus Tennessee State, this weekend at Cathi Maynard Park-Cheryl Holt Field, as it continues to battle for a spot in the OVC's post-season tournament.
The series will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, with a doubleheader and conclude Sunday with a 1 p.m., single game.
The Govs (20-9, 15-7 OVC) enter the matchup sitting in third place in the league's standings, while Tennessee State (8-24, 4-18 OVC) is in 11th place.
Austin Peay is led offensively by junior third baseman Lexi Osowski (.442, 4 HR, 19 RBI), followed by senior shortstop Brooke Pfefferle (.413, 2 HR, 12 RBI).
Three other Govs are hitting over .300 this season, starting with senior outfielder Bailey Shorter (.380, 4 HR, 18 RBI), reigning OVC Player & Pitcher of the Week senior pitcher/first baseman Kelsey Gross (.352, 4 HR, 36 RBI) and senior second baseman Drew Dudley (.304, 2 HR, 8 RBI).
The Tigers are led at the plate by Anayah Barker-Rowell, who is hitting at a .327 clip, with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs.
In the circle, the Govs pitching staff is led by Gross, who is 7-2 this season, with two shutouts, two saves, a 2.25 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 56 innings of work.
She is followed by junior Harley Mullins (7-5, 5.00 ERA, 43 K's) and freshman Jordan Benefiel (6-2, 1.59 ERA, 52 K's).
Tennessee State's pitching staff is led by Francys King (3-3, 2.64 ERA, 36 K's), while Raven Loveless (2-12, 2.(1 ERA, 51 K's) has thrown the most innings, and Lauren Powell (3-9, 4.28 ERA, 58 K's) has the most strikeouts by a Tiger pitcher.
Govs Hit and Run
- Austin Peay is 10-1 at home this season, the best home record of any OVC team.
- Lexi Osowski has reached base in 16 straight games, the eighth-longest streak by an Austin Peay player since 2000, while Kelsey Gross has reached base in 12 straight games.
- Austin Peay has recorded 10 triples this season, the most by a Govs team since 2000, including four coming from league leader Bailey Shorter.
- The Govs are 46-28 all-time versus Tennessee State, the most wins versus any opponent in program history.
