Austin Peay State University Athletics

Awards and Honors
OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll: 2014-15
Dean’s List: F14, S15, F15
Athletics Director’s Honor Roll: F14, S15, F15, S16, F16, S17

Career Recap: Austin Peay
As a junior in 2017

• Made 23 appearances, beginning season out of the bullpen for first 18 before making four starts in season’s final month.
• Finished year with a 5.76 ERA in all outings, posting 57 strikeouts in 59.1 innings pitched while allowing only 15 walks.
• In his four starts, posted a 0-1 record and 5.03 ERA but had 22 strikeouts against only three walks in his 19.2 innings pitched. However, Govs notched a 3-1 record in his starts.
• Did not walk a batter in his first three starts of campaign, totaling 14.1 innings pitched.
• Season’s final outing was as starting pitcher in Govs OVC tournament contest against Morehead State, May 24, and he went 5.1 innings while allowing five runs on eight hits and striking out five.
• Struck out a season-high eight batters at Notre Dame, May 14, limiting the Fighting Irish to one run over his six innings but did not factor into the decision.
• As a reliever, was particularly impressive in his five outings that went four or more innings. Posted a 2.18 ERA and recorded 20 strikeouts (8.71 K/9) in those outings with two saves.
• Supplied four scoreless innings to notch season’s first save, March 4 against Mercer, striking outing five batters and allowing only three hits.
• Season’s second save saw him allow one unearned run in four innings against Belmont, April 8, striking out six batters and issuing no walks.
• Followed Belmont outing with another 4.2 innings of scoreless relief at Eastern Kentucky, April 13, striking out three batters.
• Allowed only one earned run (two runs total) in a seven-outing stretch, March 29-April 21, with 19.2 innings pitched that saw him post 11 strikeouts and allow only two walks and ended with 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings.
• Posted season’s third save at Eastern Kentucky, April 15, with a five-pitch outing that saw him record the game’s final out.

As a sophomore in 2016

• Began season as Govs No. 3 weekend starter but developed into reliable stopper out of bullpen as season progressed.
• Ultimately made 25 appearances, six starts, while compiling a 1-7 record, one save and striking out 60 batters in 56.2 innings pitched.
• Was weekend starter through season’s first six weeks but could not find stride, finishing 1-4 with an 11.64 ERA as a starter.
• Moved into bullpen role as March ended and slowly came into form. Posted 4.19 ERA in 19 relief appearances, striking out 41 batters and allowing only nine walks in 34.1 innings pitched.
• Beginning with Belmont finale, April 17, pieced together a streak of nine appearances totaling 16.2 innings where he did not allow an earned run. Struck out 18 batters and walked only two during the streak.
• Held Eastern Illinois to one run while striking out six over six innings, March 12, to record season’s only victory.
• Notched season’s lone save when he retired the side in order to end Lipscomb contest, April 19.

As a freshman in 2015

• Made 12 appearances, including two starts, striking out 22 batters in 20 innings pitched and finishing with a 7.20 ERA.
• Ended season with four scoreless innings in start at Lipscomb, May 12, striking out six while not allowing a hit in his longest outing.
• Season’s first start was three-inning no decision at Western Kentucky, April 28.
• Used primarily out of the bullpen for bulk of season, with 10 relief appearances accounting for 13 innings of work.
• Struck out two of three batters faced against Eastern Illinois, March 9, helping secure Govs victory.
• Went three innings in relief against Western Michigan, Feb. 28, allowing two earned runs on four hits.

Career Recap: Gibault Catholic HS

• As a senior, compiled 7-4 record and 2.79 ERA with 10 walks and 92 strikeouts in 67.2 innings.
• Named to Illinois All-Star team for 2014 PNC High School Baseball Showcase at Busch Stadium and was a 2014 Perfect Game Central Region Honorable Mention.
• Led Gibault to Illinois Class 1A State Title as a junior, compiling an 8-2 record, 1.91 ERA while walking just five and striking out 90 in 66 innings.
• Named First-Team All-State and was Class 1A Player of the Year selection by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association.
• Played under head coach Andrew Skaer and also played for St. Louis Pirates Summer team.

Personal

• Zachary Peter Neff is the son of Karen and Richard Neff
• Born March 14
• Has an older sister, Amanda
• A business major with an concentration in management.