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Austin Peay State University Athletics

Bailey Shorter
Chase Cozy, APSU Athletics
2
Winner Austin Peay APSU 24-20, 11-9 OVC
1
Eastern Illinois EIU 21-26, 6-14 OVC
Winner
Austin Peay APSU
24-20, 11-9 OVC
2
Final
1
Eastern Illinois EIU
21-26, 6-14 OVC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Austin Peay APSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 1
Eastern Illinois EIU 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 1

W: Benefiel, Jordan (11-7) L: REIFSTECK, Kaitlyn (0-2)

Game Recap: Softball | | Chris Austin, APSU Athletics Communications

Big final inning by Bailey Shorter lifts Govs to sweep of Panthers

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Austin Peay State University center fielder Bailey Shorter came up big both at the plate and in the field in the final inning versus Eastern Illinois, Sunday afternoon at Williams Field, as the Governors swept the Panthers in their three-game Ohio Valley Conference series by taking the finale, 2-1.

Tied 1-1 heading into the top of the seventh inning, Emily Harkleroad got the Govs (24-20, 11-9 OVC) rally going by reaching base after being hit by a pitch.

Harkleroad moved to second on a ground ball by Morgan Zuege and was still in scoring position after the Panthers (21-26, 6-14 OVC) recorded the second out of the inning, bring up Shorter.

On a 1-0 count, Shorter rifled a single down the right field line, scoring Harkleroad with the go-ahead run, putting the Govs up, 2-1.

The Govs starter Jordan Benefiel (11-7), who headed into the bottom of the inning needing three outs for the complete-game win, got the first batter of the inning on strikes, bring up the top of the Panthers lineup.

Morgan Lewis looked to have a sure hit into the gap for extra-bases for EIU, but Shorter came out of nowhere, laying out for a diving catch taking the ball just off the top of the grass for the second out of the inning.

Benefiel, who only allowed one run on a walk and four hits, while striking out two, got the final out on a come backer to seal the 2-1 victory and the series sweep.

Austin Peay had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the second with Kylie Campbell, Mea Clark and Harkleroad all drawing walks to load the bases, with two outs.

Zuege would drive in Campbell with a slow roller to shortstop, beating the throw to first.

The Panthers would tie the game in the bottom of the third, 1-1, on two singles and a passed ball.

Inside the boxscore

  • The Govs extend their season-long win streak to five games.
  • The three-game sweep was the first for the Governors over the Panthers in the series history.
  • With her two hits, Lexi Osowski moved past Amanda Travis (1996-99) for fifth all-time in career hits, with 185.
  • The game-winning RBI for Bailey Shorter was her third of the season and the 15th of her career.
  • The Govs have only allowed six runs over their current five-game win streak, holding opponents to a .204 batting average.

Up Next

The Governors return home to Cathi Maynard Park-Cheryl Holt Field this Wednesday to play host to Murray State for an Ohio Valley Conference mid-week doubleheader. For news and updates on everything Governors softball, follow along on Twitter (@GovsSB) or check back at LetsGoPeay.com.

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