Austin Peay State University Athletics

Awards and Honors
Athletics Director’s Honor Roll: F15

Career Recap: Austin Peay
As a senior in 2018

• Made 15 appearances, each as the Governors No. 1 weekend starter, and compiled a 9-2 record. Austin Peay was 11-4 in his starts during the season.
• Struck out 104 batters – one shy of the program record – over 89.2 innings pitched. His 10.44 strikeouts per nine innings was the third-best performance in program history.
• Ranked 31st among Division I pitchers in victories and 57th in strikeouts. Also ranked 86th in both games started and strikeouts per nine innings.
• Became the second Govs pitcher to strike out 100 batters in a season, reaching the milestone in final regular-season appearance against Eastern Illinois, May 17, with eight strikeouts in a 5.1-inning outing.
• Named First-Team All-OVC after posting a 6-1 record and striking out 71 batters in 61.1 innings pitched in league play.
• Was first Austin Peay pitcher to win a Friday night contest against a nationally-ranked opponent, muscling way to win at No. 5 Clemson, May 11. Threw 68 pitches in first three frames, facing 15 batters and allowing two runs. Would retire 10 of the final 12 batters he faced, throwing just 45 pitches in final three innings.
• Threw six scoreless innings to begin SIUE series, May 4, scattering three hits while striking out seven en route to the win.
• The only pitcher to make it into the eighth inning in a start during the season, pitching eight innings at Morehead State, April 20, holding Eagles to one run on seven hits while striking out five.
• After suffering season's first loss at Tennessee Tech, March 23, would not suffer a second loss until his final start of the campaign. Would win three straight OVC contests – at Belmont, against Eastern Kentucky, and at Morehead State – then back-to-back wins at SIUE and Clemson.
• Opened season with four consecutive wins, including first career road victory at Jacksonville State, March 9, where he struck out nine batters while allowing four runs over six innings.
• Named OVC Pitcher of the Week, March 5, after striking out eight batters in seven innings – then the longest outing of his career to date – while allowing just two runs on two hits.

As a junior in 2017

• Began season in starting rotation before moving into bullpen role in season’s second half and ultimately made 20 appearances with five starts and 15 relief appearances.
• Finished season with 2-3 record and 6.10 ERA, recording 44 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched.
• Final 12 appearances came out of the bullpen and settled into that role over his final eight outings, posting a 3.17 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.
• Finished campaign with seven strikeouts in OVC tournament contest against Belmont, May 25, facing 17 batters in 4.2-inning outing and allowing only two hits and a walk.
• Supplied 2.2 scoreless innings of relief at Notre Dame, May 13, allowing just one hit and striking out two batters.
• Picked up victory against Evansville, May 9, striking out three in his two scoreless innings of relief before Govs mounted a game-winning eight-run ninth inning rally.
• Suffered loss at No. 6 North Carolina State, Feb. 25, despite striking out seven over four innings and limiting Wolfpack to five runs on four hits.
• Opened season with victory against Illinois State, Feb. 18, allowing one earned run on five hits in 4.2 innings.

As a sophomore in 2016

• Started 15 contests for the Governors, posting a 7-4 record and 6.48 ERA in first season as a starting pitcher.
• Was nearly unbeatable at Raymond C. Hand Park, starting 6-0 at home before a loss to UT Martin, May 7. Recorded a 7-1 record in eight starts with a 4.50 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched while limiting opponents to a .244 batting average.
• Could not find same success on the road, posting a 0-3 record and 9.76 ERA away from Raymond C. Hand Park.
• Opened season with consecutive one-hit outings. Held Bradley to one hit while striking out eight over 6.1 innings, Feb. 20. One week later, struck out a season-high 10 batters in seven shutout innings against Alcorn.
• Named adidas® OVC Co-Pitcher of the Week after the Bradley contest, a start that saw him take a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
• Tossed five scoreless innings against Southeast Missouri, April 9, striking out six in five innings en route to win.
• Finest road outing came at SIUE, May 15, as he allowing just four runs over seven innings, but Govs had to rally for win after he left the mound.

As a freshman in 2015

• Appeared in 17 games, including two starts, and amassed a 1-3 record and 8.46 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched.
• First collegiate win came in his longest relief outing, a 3.1 scoreless-inning effort at Lipscomb, May 12, that saw him strike out a season-best three batters.
• Lost his two starts in midweek outings against Memphis, April 14, and Western Kentucky, April 29.
• Appeared in relief during all three games of Jacksonville State series, March 14-16, and allowed one run (courtesy a solo home run) in three innings of work.

Career Recap: St. Rita of Cascia HS

• As a senior, went 11-2 with 1.48 ERA and 107 strikeouts, leading Mustangs to 2014 State Championship game, tossing complete game in Class 4A State semifinals, allowing one earned run and striking out 11.
• Was a 2014 Perfect Game Central Region Second Team selection and 2014 Second-Team All-State pick by the Prep Baseball Report.
• 2014 First-Team All-Area and All-State selection by the Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, Southtown Star and High School Cube.
• 2014 First-Team Catholic League All-Blue Division.
• As a junior, went 10-3 with a 1.85 ERA and 101 strikeouts and was a third-team All-State selection.
• Prepped under head coach Mike Zunica.

Personal

• Michael Anthony Costanzo is the son of Michael and Nicole Costanzo.
• Born Nov. 14.
• Has a younger sister, Gianna.
• Father Mike was a professional boxer.
• A business administration major with a concentration in management.