Austin Peay Govs rally to force extras, fall in 11 to Colonels

By APSU Sports Information | April 13, 2017 |

APSU Sports Information

Richmond, KY – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team battled back from a three-run deficit but fell 5-4 in 11 innings to Eastern Kentucky, Thursday night, in Ohio Valley Conference action at Earle Combs Stadium

Austin Peay (15-17, 7-9 OVC) fell behind 4-1 after Eastern Kentucky pieced together a three-run fourth inning.

Austin Peay Baseball loses at Eastern Kentucky 5-4 in 11 innings, Thursday night (APSU Sports Information)

But it took a pair of solo home runs in consecutive innings for the Govs to tie the game. Right fielder Chase Hamilton supplied the first solo blast, driving a pitch over the wall in right in the seventh inning.

One inning later, third baseman Alex Robles tied the game with a home run to left field.

From there, the bullpens would supply plenty of zeroes. Govs reliever Zach Neff sparkled through the middle part of the contest, providing 4.2 innings of scoreless relief. That outing helped keep the Govs in the contest until he turned it over to Robles, who tossed a scoreless ninth and tenth inning.

The Govs had their opportunity to break the tie in the 11th inning after catcher Alex Sala and Hamilton reached base safely with two outs. Third baseman Landon Kelly then looped a fly ball into shallow left field. Sala was sent home but was tagged out on a stellar throw by Shea Sullivan.

Eastern Kentucky (20-14, 6-7 OVC) saw leadoff hitter shortstop Ryland Kerr walked to start the bottom of the 11th. The Colonels moved Kerr to third base with a sacrifice bunt and a ground out. Catcher Logan Starnes then grounded a ball to third base and beat a throw in the turf, allowing the winning run to score.

Robles (3-6) was tagged for the loss after allowing the winning run to end his 2.2 innings of relief. However, the Govs senior drove in the tying run in the fourth and in the eighth as part of his 1-for-5, two RBI performance at the plate.

Colonels closer Caleb Johnson (2-0) picked up the win after four innings of relief that saw him hold the Govs to one run on four hits while striking out five. Five different EKU hitters had a RBI in the contest, including right fielder Nick Howie who went 3-for-4 to pace a 10-hit attack.

Who Governed

Third baseman Alex Robles sent the game to extra innings with his game-tying solo home run in the eighth inning. Earlier in the game tied the game, 1-1, with his fourth inning fielder’s choice. At the plate he finished the night 1-for-5 with two RBI and supplied 2.2 innings of relief on the mound.

Silver Linings

Hamilton Hammers Season’s Ninth
Right fielder Chase Hamilton supplied a solo home run in the seventh inning to cut the Govs deficit to one run, 4-3. It was his ninth home run this season and his 29th career home run.

Neff Dazzles
Govs reliever Zach Neff held down the fort after Eastern Kentucky gained the 4-1 lead, providing 4.2 innings of scoreless relief. It was the longest relief outing of Neff’s career and the third time this season he has gone four or more innings.

Up Next for APSU Baseball

Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky continue their three-game series with a 5:00pm (ET), Friday contest.

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