EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – A bumper crop of runs in the first inning proved too much for Austin Peay State University's baseball team to overcome in a 19-11 Ohio Valley Conference loss to SIUE, Saturday, in the second game of a doubleheader.
SIUE (18-18, 6-6 OVC) was unstoppable in the first inning, sending 21 men to the plate and scoring 17 runs – one shy of the NCAA Division I record. Shortstop Josh Ohl had three hits in the first inning, including a double. Right fielder Brett Pierson had five RBI in the frame with a three-run home run and then a two-run single. Left fielder Richie Well also had two hits and three RBI courtesy a three-run double.
Austin Peay (15-25, 7-8 OVC) shook off the first inning and responded with seven runs on nine hits following the ambush. Right fielder Harrison Brown hit a solo home run in the second and had a RBI double in the fourth. Pinch hitter Reid Brown supplied a two-run home run in the sixth.
The Governors loaded the bases in the seventh and scored three runs. Pinch hitter TJ Rogers drove in a run with a fielder's choice and later scored on a passed ball. Harrison Brown then walked with the bases loaded to narrow the deficit to 18-7.
Austin Peay narrowed the deficit further in the ninth, striking for six runs against the SIUE bullpen. The first three batters reached without needing a base hit. Harrison Brown, third baseman Michael Robinson, and shortstop John Bolton each provided RBI singles with a wild pitch providing the fourth run of the inning. Jeremy Wagner then greeted the fifth Cougars pitcher with a two-run double to set the final score.
Harrison Brown went 4-for-4 with a double, home run and four RBI to lead the Govs offense. First baseman Ty DeLancey was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Reid Brown was 1-for-1 with a home run, two RBI and a walk.
Pierson went 2-for-4 with five RBI with the Cougars lone home run of the series finale. Ohl went 4-for-6 with two doubles and two RBI. Well was 2-for-6 with three RBI and three runs scored.
Austin Peay starter Drew McIllwain (3-5) recorded one out in the first inning and allowed 11 runs on nine hits and two walks and took the loss.
SIUE starter Collin Baumgartner (3-2) notched the win in his return to the mound, holding Austin Peay to two runs on three hits over 4.0 innings.
Austin Peay returns home to host North Alabama in a 6 p.m., Tuesday contest to kickoff a five-game nonconference week that includes a trip to Bellarmine, Wednesday, and a three-game series at Toledo, Friday-Sunday.