LEADING OFF

After opening the season with a series victory, Austin Peay State University’s baseball team turns its attention to the 2020 SAF Dirt Classic, which it will co-host with three other Middle Tennessee teams, Thursday-Sunday, on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay opens the event with a 3 p.m., Thursday contest against Missouri State, which was picked second in the Missouri Valley Conference’s preseason poll. The Govs then host Southern Conference preseason favorite Samford at 3 p.m., Friday.

Two more Missouri Valley Conference teams visit over the weekend. Bradley, which was picked fifth in the MVC preseason poll, hits the field for a 1 p.m., Saturday matchup. Evansville, picked sixth in the MVC poll, rounds out the weekend with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest.

The Governors opened 2020 with a 2-1 series victory against Eastern Michigan. Redshirt freshman Skyler Luna opened his Govs career with six hits (.462 batting average) and a team-leading five RBI. Ten different Austin Peay hitters posted a base hit and 11 finished the weekend with an RBI.

3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23
PROJECTED STARTERS
APSU: Nolan Monaghan
(LHP | 0-0, 11.57 ERA, 3.85 K/9)
MSU: Matt Russell
(RHP | 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 4.50 K/9)

Monaghan will make his first start since April 23, 2019. He appeared in relief against Eastern Michigan, Saturday, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks in 2.1 innings of work behind starter Hayden Josephson.

 PROJECTED STARTERS
APSU: Harley Gollert
(LHP | 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 6.75 K/9)
SU: Sam Strickland
(LHP | 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 12.60 K/9)

Making his first appearance in nearly 11 months, Gollert was solid in the season opener, holding Eastern Michigan to 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 3 in 4.0 innings. He missed the bulk of 2019 due to an arm injury.

 PROJECTED STARTERS
APSU: Hayden Josephson
(RHP | 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.75 K/9)
BU: TBA

Josephson put together a solid Governors debut in Game 2 against Eastern Michigan, surrendering 3 unearned runs in 4.0 innings while striking out 3 batters. He did not factor in the final decision with the Govs posting a comeback win.

 PROJECTED STARTERS
APSU: Tyler Thompson
(RHP | 1st APSU Start)
UE: Jake McMahill
(RHP | 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 10.80 K/9)

Thompson went 4.0 innings in his 2020 debut with EMU picking up 4 runs on 6 hits in the series finale. The Govs offense broke through in the final four innings to secure the victory.
Listen | Live Stats Listen | Live Stats Live Stats Listen | Live Stats

FIRST HACKS

  • Sophomore center fielder Garrett Spain posted 3 hits in the EMU series finale after the Eagles spent the first 2 games staying away from him. He finished the series with a .571 on-base percentage (4 BB, 1 HBP)
  • Transfer freshman Skyler Luna has a hit and RBI in each of his first 3 games as a Governor, including a 3-for-5 outing in the EMU series finale. He has 6 hits and 5 RBI in those 3 games.
  • Junior transfer outfielder Ty DeLancey began his APSU career with 2 hits in both the EMU opener and finale. He hit a bases-clearing triple in the finale as part of a 2-for-4, 3 RBI outing.
  • Sophomore Matt Joslin began the season as the Govs designated hitter before making a start at first base. He was held without a hit in the season’s first weekend but had a bases-loaded walk in the series opener.
  • Freshman Reid Brown was pressed into service in the second inning of 2020, taking over at first base for the injured John McDonald. He began his collegiate career with a home run on his first swing and had 4 hits and 4 RBI in his first weekend.
  • Senior second baseman Malcolm Tipler scored each of the 5 times he reached base in the season-opening weekend. He also hit 2 doubles and a pair of sacrifice flies to push across 2 runs.
  • Junior shortstop Bobby Head finished the EMU weekend with an impressive 4-for-5, 3 RBI performance that including a game-winning 2-run home run in the sixth inning. Defensively, he started four of APSU’s six double plays during the series.
  • Sophomore third baseman Gino Avros fell a triple shy of hitting for the cycle in Game 2 of the Eastern Michigan series, going 4-for-5 with 2 doubles, a home run, and 3 RBI.
  • Junior transfer catcher Alex Hay started 2 of the 3 games against EMU. He had 2 hits and 3 RBI during the weekend, including a solo home run in Game 2 of the series.

OUT OF THE BULLPEN

  • Junior transfer Austin Carder assumed the role of closer during the opening weekend, promptly striking out three of the four batters he faced in Game 2 of the EMU series for his first save.
  • Senior Tucker Weaver was the setup man for Carder, providing 1.2 innings of scoreless relief in Game 2 to pick up the victory. EMU mustered just one hit (.167 BAA) against him.

ON DECK IN THE MIDWEEK

Austin Peay will finish its season-opening eight-game homestand by hosting Western Kentucky in a 3 p.m., Tuesday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park. It is the first game in the annual home-and-home series between the Govs and Hilltoppers.