CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's softball team will closeout it's 2023 regular season, and ASUN Conference schedule, by hosting Jacksonville State this weekend at Cathi Maynard Park-Cheryl Holt Field, as the Governors look to lockdown a berth into next week's ASUN Championship Tournament.
It will also be Senior Weekend for five Governors (Lexi Osowski-Anderson, Maddie Boykin, Emily Harkleroad, Morgan McMahon, Riley Suits),who will be honored in a ceremony following Saturday's doubleheader.
The Govs (25-20, 11-10 ASUN) and the Gamecocks (28-19, 13-8 ASUN) will open their three-game conference series, 5 p.m., Friday, with a single contest, followed by a, 1 p.m., doubleheader on Saturday.
Austin Peay enters the season's final weekend tied for fifth in the league's standing, while Jacksonville State enters in third place.
The Govs enter the weekend coming off an 8-0 mid-week, non-conference win at Southern Indiana, this pasted Tuesday, while JSU defeated Samford, in Birmingham, Alabama, 8-4.
Offensively, the Govs are led by Lexi Osowski-Anderson (.323, 7 HR, 29 RBI) and Kylie Campbell (.307, 5 3B, 18 RBI).
In the circle, Jordan Benefiel (17-10, 2.31 ERA, 181 K's) has been the workhorse of the Govs pitching staff, having already worked 169.1 innings this spring, while Samantha Miener (4-7, 1 save, 5.19 ERA, 23 K's), Ashley Martin (3-1, 1 save, 4.82 ERA, 35 K's) and Emberly Nichols (1-2, 5.18 ERA, 7 K's) have also recorded wins for Austin Peay this spring.
The Gamecocks are led offensively by Lindsey Richardson (.399, 7 HR, 42 RBI), while Jaliyah Holmes (16-6, 2.17 ERA, 130 K's) tops the Gamecocks pitching staff.
Between the lines
- Lexi Osowski-Anderson enters the weekend having played in 199 career games.
- The Govs enter the weekend needing two victories to reach 200 all-time wins at Cathi Maynard Park-Cheryl Holt Field.
- Jordan Benefiel needs one victory to become the fifth pitcher in program history to reach 40 career wins.
- Emily Harkleroad (199) and Lexi Osowski-Anderson (198) are one and two starts away, respectively, from 200 career starts.
- Lexi Osowski-Anderson is three total bases away from 400 in her career.
Up Next
The Govs look to be participating in the ASUN Conference Championship, May 9-13, in DeLand, Florida, and hosted by Stetson University. The Govs seeding, opponent, and tournament opening date/time will be determined following the conclusion of this weekend's action.
Tickets
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).
Govs Online
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.
