CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Right fielder John Bay, catcher Gus Freeman, and first baseman Conner Gore each had three-RBI outings, but Austin Peay State University's baseball team could not keep up with a homer-hitting Lipscomb squad and fell 18-9 in ASUN Conference action, Friday night on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay (23-27, 13-12 ASUN) tied the game in the second inning, 3-3, with a two-out rally. Second baseman Jaden Brown walked with two outs, putting two runners on board. Catcher Gus Freeman made the most of the opportunity, hitting a three-run home run down the right-field line to level the score.
Lipscomb (29-21, 19-6 ASUN), which built its 3-0 lead with three solo home runs in the first two innings, turned to manufacturing runs in a six-run fourth inning. The Bisons broke the tie with right fielder Will Lee's bunt single with a wild throw to first base allowing a run to score. Shortstop Caleb Ketchup singled to drive in a run, third baseman Mason Lundgrin drove in a run with a fielder's choice, and catcher Austin Kelly tacked on the inning's final run with a single, giving the Bisons a 9-3 lead.
The Bisons turned to the long ball the rest of the way. Third baseman Trace Willhoite hit two-run home runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Second baseman Parks Bouck hit a two-run home run in the sixth. Lee then hit a three-run home run in the eighth for his second home run.
The Governors would chip into deficit against the Bisons bullpen. Bay provided a three-run home run in the sixth inning. First baseman Conner Gore provided three runs with his bases-clearing double in the eighth to close the game's scoring.
Lipscomb starter Logan Van Treeck (6-4) went five innings for the win, allowing three runs on three hits.
The Bisons finished with seven home runs, with Willhoite and Lee hitting two each. Willhoite was 3-for-4 with four RBI to lead the effort. Lee was 3-for-5 with four RBI.
Austin Peay starter Jacob Kush (5-4) took the loss after allowing nine runs on eight hits and four walks in 3.1 innings.
Bay led Austin Peay's nine-hit night with his 2-for-4, three-RBI effort. Greeman and Gore each had one hit as part of their three RBI outings.
Austin Peay and Lipscomb continue their three-game ASUN series with a 1 p.m. Saturday game on Maynard Field at Hand Park.