CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – In 2025, Austin Peay softball has 23 multi-home run games, and 10 with at least three… One of those may not go in the stats, but it sure is a fun way to start the fall.

The Governors opened their fall season – which sees it play five games against teams that do not also have "Austin Peay" across the chest – with a 9-1 win against rival Murray State, Friday, at Cathi Maynard Park. APSU used a trio of home runs, including a run-rule-inducing grand slam by Katie Raper to come away with the five-inning victory.

Scoring Summary

Top Second | Murray State tallied the day's first hit in the top of the second. The leadoff advanced to third following a stolen base and passed ball, before crossing the plate for its first – and only – run following a ground out.

Bottom Second | It did not take long for Austin Peay to answer the Racers' lead as its leadoff batter – Sammie Shelander, who hit six homers in the spring – put one over the wall, tying the game at one all. One batter later, Mimi Blackledge – one of 14 newcomers in the program and the Govs' starting pitcher – hit a base knock, advanced on a wild pitch, and was brought across the plate by a Kiley Hinton single. Hinton scored off a single by Emilee Baker, making it 3-1 through two.

Bottom Third | After a three up, three down, inning by the Racers, Blackledge picked up APSU's second home run of the evening a solo shot over the wall.

Bottom Fifth | Baker began the fifth with a single – her second in three trips up to the plate – advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Makayla Navarro, another newcomer, and scored off a Brie Howard double. Shelander and Natalie Burns, a newcomer also, then reached safely on a single and walk, respectively, before Raper – who, by the way, had 14 home runs and a grand slam in the spring – hit a grand slam.

Box Score Bullets

• Austin Peay out-hit Murray State, 9-4.
• The Governors did not commit an error, while the Racers had two.
• Sammie Shelander, Katie Raper, and Mimi Blackledge all hit home runs in Austin Peay's win against Murray State.
• Blackledge, Shelander, and Emilee Baker paced APSU with two hits.
• Raper led APSU with four RBI.
• Blackledge (first and second) and Emberly Nichols (third and fourth) both pitched two innings, while Emily Marks tossed a scoreless fifth.

Up Next

Austin Peay returns to the park for a 1 p.m., Sunday doubleheader against Belmont. Admission for Sunday's contest, and all fall games at Cathi Maynard Park, are free to the public.

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