Austin Peay State University’s baseball team came back from one deficit but could not fend off a second offensive outburst in an 11-5 loss to Indiana State, Sunday at Raymond C. Hand Park. Austin Peay (8-3) scored the game’s first run when catcher Parker Phillips’ doubled to drive in second baseman Garrett Giovannelli. However, the Govs would leave the bases loaded as Sycamores starter Tyler Whitbreak struck out two batters after the double.
Indiana State (6-5) wouldn’t wait long to respond to the Govs early run. The Sycamores got back-to-back home runs in the second from catcher Max Wright and third baseman Jake Means to take a 3-1 lead. Left fielder Dane Tofteland would add a fourth run in the third inning.
The Governors would mount a comeback in the fourth, knocking four singles in the frame. Center fielder Imani Willis drove in a run with his and shortstop Garrett Kueber would tie the game, 4-4, with his two-run single.
Indiana State broke the tie immediately in the fifth after shortstop Clay Dungan led off with a double and scored on right fielder’s Roberto Enriquez’ sacrifice fly. The Sycamores broke the game open in the sixth with a five-run outburst. Means drove his second home run of the game to start the rally, Dungan added a two-run double and Enriquez wrapped up the rally with a run-scoring double for a 10-4 lead ISU would not relinquish.
Kueber ended the day 2-for-5 with three RBI, adding a RBI double in the eighth to his earlier hit. Phillips and first baseman Andrew Flaherty also had two hits each.
Govs relief pitcher Josh Rye (0-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits in three innings.
Dungan led Indiana State with an impressive 5-for-6, three RBI performance. Wright and Means each had two hits and two RBI.
Ames (1-0) came out of the bullpen to pick up the win after tossing 1.2 scoreless frames while allowing just two hits. Ethan Larrison picked up his season’s second save after allowing one run over the final four innings.
(Courtesy APSU Athletics)