CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Center fielder Imani Willis hit his season’s second grand slam and Austin Peay State University’s baseball team rolled to a 10-2 victory against Murray State in the opening game of their three-game Ohio Valley Conference series.

After Murray State (10-8, 2-2 OVC) grabbed a two-run lead in the top of the first, Austin Peay saw its first four batters in the bottom of the frame reach base, left fielder Andrew Flaherty batting in the first run on an infield single. Two batters later Willis hit his grand slam to left, staking the Govs to a 5-2 lead.

Govs starter Michael Costanzo (4-0) struck out the side around the two-run home run in the first. After being handed the lead after the first inning he promptly settled into a rhythm and allowed just two base runners over the next four innings. Costanzo would leave after recording his ninth strikeout of the game, finishing with 5.1 innings pitched and allowing just the two runs.

Relievers Brett Newberg and Devin O’Donovan followed Costanzo and kept Murray State off the board over the final 4.2 innings. Newberg struck out five while scattering three hits in his 2.2 innings. Donovan added a strikeout in his inning of work. The trio of Govs pitchers combined to strike out 15 Racers batters – the most in a single game this season.

Austin Peay (11-7, 3-1 OVC) was held scoreless for four innings after its breakout frame. The Govs finally broke through against the Racers bullpen, adding to their lead by scoring in each of their final three innings.

Willis, who added a double and RBI single to his outing, finished the day 3-for-4 with five RBI – half the Govs run total. Designated hitter Kyle Wilson went 2-for-3 with a RBI, including a double.

Murray State starter Peyton Hayes (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits in five-plus innings of work. First baseman Ramsey Scott’s two-run home run in the first was the Racers only run production on the day and they were held to three hits following his hit.
WHO GOVERNED: IMANI WILLIS

Willis’ hit his second career grand slam in the first inning, just three weeks after his first grand slam – Feb. 23 against Toledo. It also was his fourth career five RBI outing as he added a RBI single in the Govs three-run seventh. Willis also had a double in the sixth as part of his 3-for-4, five RBI outing.

Austin Peay will look to secure its fifth straight series victory with a 2 p.m., Saturday contest against Murray State. The Governors will send left-hander Jacques Pucheu (2-0, 3.33 ERA) to the mound a week after he picked up his second win. Murray State will counter with southpaw Blake Clynes (1-0, 3.44 ERA).