CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off a midweek loss to Tennessee on Tuesday, Austin Peay State University's baseball team is set to face Eastern Kentucky in week four of Atlantic Sun Conference play, starting at 6 p.m. (CT), Thursday, at Turkey Hughes Field in Richmond, Kentucky.
LEADING OFF
Austin Peay (14-15, 5-4 ASUN) recently came away with its second ASUN series win of the season after taking two games from Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas, a week ago. Their first series win came in week one of ASUN play in Louisville, Kentucky, when the Governors won two games against Bellarmine. The Governors remain a game behind Nashville foe Lipscomb, which is 6-3 in conference play after three weeks.
The Governors are coming off a midweek loss at Tennessee, as the Volunteers put up 10 runs in the first three innings of the midweek contest on Tuesday. Redshirt junior Ray Velazquez hit a solo shot over the left field fence to take the top spot on the Governors' roster with his eighth home run of the season. He is now tied for the third-most home runs in the ASUN.
Senior Zion Taylor was hitless on Tuesday but still leads the Governors with 44 hits this season, which is third in the conference. His .379 batting average still ranks fourth in the ASUN.
Eastern Kentucky (8-21, 3-6 ASUN) comes into the weekend in last place of the ASUN Gold Division, three games behind first-place Lipscomb. The Colonels lost two games to the Bisons last weekend, falling in extras in game one of the series and falling in game three. In game two of the series, they put up nine runs in the first three innings of the game, as they went on to win 15-3 after scoring six runs over the eighth and ninth innings.
The Colonels' most recent game was Tuesday, when they hosted Louisville in midweek action. They had a four-run first to take the lead, following a three-run home run from David Alvarez and an RBI single from Jackson Reid. But, the Cardinals would put up 17 runs over seven innings to run-rule the Colonels, 17-7.
Eastern Kentucky is led by head coach Jan Weisberg, who is in his first season with the Colonels and his 20th overall.
PITCHING PROBABLES
Senior right-hander Ryker Walton is slated as the game one starter, as he is set to make his third start this season. He picked up the loss in his last start against Lipscomb (March 22) after throwing 3.2 innings and allowing three earned runs to score. He struck out a season-high five batters in the outing. He will go against Bradley Gagen, who does not have a decision this season for the Colonels through five starts. He has struck out 15 batters over 17.1 innings.
Junior Cody Airington will have the game two start for the Govs after coming off a career day at Central Arkansas (March 27), where he threw a career-high seven innings and struck out four batters for his second win of the season. He will go up against Jacob Price, who is the top arm for Eastern Kentucky this season, with a 3-2 record through his eight appearances and seven starts. He has struck out 31 batters across 41.2 innings.
Junior left-hander DJ Merriweather is slated to start game three on Saturday. He carries a 2-0 record into the weekend this season. He picked up the win in his last start at Central Arkansas (March 29), after throwing 5.1 innings and striking out seven batters. He has struck out 38 batters across 27.2 innings this season through seven appearances and a pair of starts. The Colonels' game three starter has not been announced.
SERIES HISTORY
Austin Peay leads the all-time series 68-61, dating back to April 15, 1979. The Governors won the first meeting in '79, 11-6 in Richmond.
The Governors come into the weekend with a nine-game winning streak in the all-time series. The last win for Austin Peay came on the road on April 19 a season ago, as the Govs swept the Colonels with a 7-6 game three final.
The last Eastern Kentucky win came in the 2023 ASUN Championship on May 24, as they beat the Governors 3-2 in the opening round.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Fans unable to attend can listen to the weekend series on ESPN Clarksville 104.1 FM in the Clarksville area or through the TuneIn app on their mobile device. Van Stokes, who is in his 25th season as the Govs play-by-play voice, will have the call all weekend.
The series will be broadcast on ESPN+.
FOLLOW ALONG
Keep up to date with all Governors baseball on the official website of Austin Peay Athletics - www.LetsGoPeay.com. Follow @GovsBSB on X and Instagram for all Governors Baseball updates and ticket information as they happen.
