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Austin Peay Govs home runs not enough in late loss at No. 8 VanderbiltAPSU Sports Information
Austin Peay (25-14) got off to a quick start as Copeland hit a leadoff home run on the game’s second pitch from Vanderbilt’s Donny Everett. ![]() Austin Peay Baseball has two home runs in 8-5 loss to Vanderbilt Commodores Tuesday in Nashville. (APSU Sports Information) Vanderbilt (31-10) would rally to five runs during that scoreless stretch. The Commodores took the lead with shortstop Connor Kaiser’s two-run, two-out double. Right fielder Jeren Kendall followed with a RBI single to put Vanderbilt ahead, 3-1. One inning later, first baseman Julian Infante extended the Vanderbilt advantage with a two-run home run to center field.
The middle of Austin Peay’s order figured out the Commodores reliever in the seventh as the first four batters of the frame reached base. Left fielder Logan Gray led off with a single and first baseman Dre Gleason followed with a walk. Designated hitter Alex Robles drove in a run with a single. After a Vanderbilt visit to the mound, right fielder Chase Hamilton drove the next Steele offering over the wall in right field to tie the game, 5-5. Vanderbilt turned to reliever Matt Ruppenthal who stemmed the Austin Peay rally by retiring three consecutive batters to end the frame.
Stopper Jared Carkuff entered the game but surrendered a flare single that got just over the Governors drawn-in infield, allowing Reynolds to score and break the tie. Carkuff would be the victim of misfortune again in the eighth as a two-out fly ball eluded the Govs defense and hop over the fence for a run-scoring double. Designated hitter Ethan Paul added another double to push the Vanderbilt lead to 8-3. Neff (1-5) was the Govs hard-luck loser, allowing one unearned run on three hits in 2.1 innings. Sparks went four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.
Kendall led Vanderbilt with a 3-for-5, two RBI performance. The Commodores lead off hitter was followed by Paul and Reynolds who had two hits each. Vanderbilt finished with 15 hits on the day. Ruppenthal picked up the win in relief after tossing two scoreless innings. Bowden notched his season’s ninth save with a scoreless ninth. Everett was left with no decision in his first career start, allowing one run on two hits in four innings. Austin Peay returns home for a 6:00pm, Wednesday contest against Evansville. About APSU Sports Information
Austin Peay State University Sports Information provides the latest news and updates on the Athletic endeavors of the student-athletes at APSU. Under the direction of Brad Kirtley, the APSU SID’s office consists of Cody Bush, and Colby Wilson. To contact the APSU Sports Information office, contact, 931.221.7561. Web Site: http://www.apsugovernors.com
SectionsAssociations, Austin Peay State University, Baseball, Colleges, Featured Story, NCAA, Ohio Valley Conference, Sports, Vanderbilt UniversityTopicsAlex Robles, APSU, APSU Athletics, APSU Baseball, APSU Men's Baseball, APSU Sports, Austin Peay State University, Ben Bowden, Bryan Reynolds, Chase Hamilton, Clayton Smithson, Commodores, Connor Kaiser, Donny Everett, Dre Gleason, Ethan Paul, Evansville, Garrett Copeland, hawkins Field, Jared Carkuff, Jeren Kendall, Julian Infante, Logan Gray, Matt Ruppenthal, Nashville TN, Ohio Valley Conference, OVC, SEC, Southeastern Conference, Vanderbilt, Zach Neff |