DELAND, Fla. – Some seventh-inning heroics at the plate, on the bases, and with their defense, lifted the Austin Peay State University softball team past Stetson, Tuesday at Patricia Wilson Field, in the play-in round of the ASUN Softball Championship, as the Governors outlasted the Hatters, 2-1.

The #7-seed Govs (27-22) and #6-seed Stetson (28-28) were locked in a 1-1 pitcher's duel heading into the top of the eighth inning, but after the first two Govs went down in order, Lexi Osowski-Anderson – the program's all-time hits leader – ripped a double into the gap in left-center field to give Austin Peay a scoring chance.

Charley Pursley was then brought in to pinch run for Osowski-Anderson, with cleanup hitter Kylie Campbell at the plate.

Campbell would fall behind in the count 0-2, before fouling off a pair of tough pitches and then hitting a slow roller to the Hatters second baseman.

But Campbell busted it down the line just beating the throw to first for an infield single, with head coach Kassie Stanfill sending Pursley home and just besting the throw from the first baseman to give the Govs their first lead of the game, 2-1.

But the Hatters caught a break in the bottom of the inning, getting a runner on off an error and then move into scoring position on a wild pitch, with two outs.

Stetson's next hitter then laced a single into left field, but Govs left fielder Kendyl Weinzapfel charged the ball and threw a strike to the cutoff Gabi Apiag at shortstop, who then turned and threw a strike to Austin Peay catcher Mea Clark, who tagged the runner out to end the game and seal away the one-run victory and extend the Govs season.

Jordan Benefiel (18-11) went the distance in earning the win, giving up one run on six hits, while walking two and striking out three.

Stetson had jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a couple of hits, with the Govs tying the game, 1-1, in the top of the fourth on Osowski-Anderson's ninth home run of the season, a 250-foot shot over the center field fence.

Inside the Boxscore

• The win for Jordan Benefiel was the 40th of her career, the fifth Governors pitcher to reach that milestone.
• The start for Benefiel ties her for the eighth-most in program history (69), while the complete game also ties her for the eighth-most overall (44).
• Macee Roberts extended her consecutive-game hit streak to eight games, with her second inning single.
• Lexi Osowski-Anderson has now hit home runs in back-to-back games twice this season.
• Austin Peay is now 2-1 all-time versus Stetson.
• Kylie Campbell set a career single-game best, with 13 putouts at first base in the win.
• With her double and home run, Lexi Osowski-Anderson now has 94 career extra-base hits.

Up Next

Austin Peay now advances into the double-elimination part of the ASUN Championship, which begins Wednesday afternoon, with the Govs facing the tournament's #3 seed Jacksonville State, at 10 a.m.

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.