SAINT LOUIS – An old-fashioned pitcher's duel unfolded in the series opener between Austin Peay State University's baseball team and Saint Louis. The Billikens used a walk off two-out single to edge the Governors, 2-1, in seven innings at the Billiken Sports Center.

After a quiet five innings, Austin Peay (7-13) finally broke through against Saint Louis starter Logan Schmitt with two out in the sixth inning. First baseman Ty DeLancey hit his second homer of 2022 to left to tie the game. Catcher Jack Alexander followed with a double into the left-center gap, ending Schmitt's outing. Patel came aboard and sruck out the first batter he faced to end the Govs threat.

Saint Louis (9-8) scored the game's first run courtesy a two-out rally in the second inning. Right fielder Cole Smith singled to start the rally and designated hitter Cody Jansen earned a walk to extend it. Shortstop Matt Happ singled to right and Smith scored to give the Billikens the early lead.

Jansen led off the Billikens seventh with a walk. After a Happ groundout, Gollert handed the ball over to reliever Tyler Delong who promptly induced a foul pop out for the inning's second out. But second baseman Mark Vierling hit a hard ground ball down the third base line to drive in the game-winning run.

Austin Peay starting pitcher Harley Gollert (1-3) pitched into the seventh inning, surrendering the second inning run before tossing four scoreless frames, allowing the Govs offense time to tie the game. He would surrender a leadoff walk in the seventh before recording an out to end his outing.

Schmitt opened with five scoreless innings and didn't face a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning. Reliever Patel Ryan Patel (1-1) followed him and prevented the Govs from scoring a second run in the sixth and finished with 1.1 scoreless innings to notch the win.

Third baseman Michael Robinson went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Govs five-hit outing. DeLancey, Alexander, and second baseman Jonah Beamon also had a hit each.

Five different Saint Louis hitters recorded a hit with Happ and Vierling each providing a hit and a RBI.