CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's softball team continues its current road swing, but steps out of conference play, 4 p.m., Wednesday at Racer Field, as they travel to Murray, Kentucky, to face Murray State in a non-conference single contest.
The Governors (15-11) and the Racers (19-12) are former longtime Ohio Valley Conference foes but meet for the first time as members of their new conferences, Austin Peay, as a member of the ASUN Conference, and Murray State, a first-year member of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Heading into the non-conference midweek matchup, the Govs are led offensively by first baseman Kylie Campbell (.346, 4 triples, 12 RBI), shortstop Gabi Apiag (.314, 6 doubles, 12 RBI), and Lexi Osowski-Anderson (.30, 1 HR, 9 RBI), while Kendyl Weinzapfel is the only Gov to have scored 10+ runs this season (16) and driven in at least 10 runs (12) this spring.Â
In the circle, reining ASUN Pitcher of the Week Jordan Benefiel (11-6, 2.22 ERA, 128 K's) has been the workhorse of the Govs pitching staff, having already worked 107.1 innings this spring, while Samantha Miener (2-4, 1 save, 5.35 ERA, 13 K's) and Ashley Martin (2-1, 3.13 ERA, 20 K's) have also recorded multiple wins for Austin Peay this spring.  Â
The Racers enter the game with just one player batting over .300 this season, Gracie Osbron, who enters the matchup with the Govs batting .333, with 4 home runs and 23 RBI. Â
The Racer pitching staff is led by Hannah James (7-5, 1.78 ERA, 118 K's), while Jenna Veber (10-3, 2.43 ERA, 58 K's) is also a threat in the circle for Murray State.
Between the lines Â
- Murray State is the fifth Missouri Valley Conference opponent the Govs will face this spring, having already played Belmont, Evansville, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Iowa, and posting a 6-1 mark versus MVC teams.
- The Govs and Racers split four games played against each other in 2022, with both teams going 2-0 at home in those contests.
- The Govs trail in the all-time series, 23-14, but have won nine of the last 14 meetings between the two schools.
- Lexi Osowski-Anderson needs three hits to tie Kacy Acree (2016-19) for second place in program history for career hits (218).
Up Next
The Govs wrap-up their current seven game road swing, this weekend, as they travel to Fort Myers, Florida, to face Florida Gulf Coast in a three-game ASUN Conference series.
TicketsÂ
For information, or to buy tickets for other home softball games this season, go online at LetsGoPeay.com/BuyTickets or call the Austin Peay Ticket Office at 931-221-PEAY (7329). Â
Govs OnlineÂ
For up-to-date news and information on Austin Peay softball, go to LetsGoPeay.com or follow along on Twitter and Instagram (@GovsSB), or on Facebook. Live stats will be available during all home games at PeayStats.com. In addition, all Austin Peay home games will be broadcast on ESPN+ this season, visit the softball schedule at LetsGoPeay.com for a complete broadcast schedule.Â