CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Monday, Austin Peay softball hosted Jacksonville State, looking to complete the regular-season sweep of their Ohio Valley Conference foe.

The Gamecocks had other plans in mind, hitting three home runs en route to a 7-4 win in nine innings over the Governors.

Despite dropping the final game of the series, Austin Peay softball coach Kassie Stanfill was pleased with the toughness her team showed throughout.

“I think our girls came out to play right from the beginning,” Stanfill said. “Jacksonville State is always one of the bigger games of the year for us, so coming out and taking two on day one was huge. Our girls fought til the end even all the way through game three. It’s not the outcome that we wanted, but we showed our fight and our grit even through the night. We’re super proud, and it’s huge to still take the series.”

Starting pitcher Jordan Benefiel was sharp on the mound through four innings before running into trouble in the fifth frame. Stanfill shared what worked well for the righty hurler early on and what ultimately went wrong for her late.

“Jordan spins the ball well,” Stanfill said. “That’s what she does. She keeps the batters off-balance and just finds a way to get little mishits here and there. We just have to tip our cap to Jacksonville State. They’re a great team. They already saw her (Benefiel) on Sunday for a full seven and then here they are the next day seeing her for another five innings. Great hitters make adjustments and that’s kind of what they did, but she gave us everything that she had.”

Benefiel got the no-decision and finished 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out two hitters.

Game summary

Austin Peay struck first in the bottom of the first inning on a Brett Jackson RBI double. The Govs tacked on another run to take a 2-0 lead when Kendyl Weinzapfel brought Jackson home on an infield single.

One inning later, Austin Peay scored two more runs to chase Jacksonville State starting pitcher Hannah Brown from the game.

The Govs failed to scratch across another run the rest of the contest when Gamecock senior Alexus Jimmerson entered the circle.

Jimmerson had an exceptional outing, throwing 6 2/3 scoreless innings in relief while crushing two home runs at the plate.

“She’s a solid player,” Stanfill said. “Mature player who obviously can play both sides of the game. She’s a powerful hitter who had our number this weekend. She showed up for them and we know that moving forward.”

Jacksonsville State got on the board in the top of the fifth inning, as Jada Terry drove in Savannah “Bam” Sudduth on a base hit up the middle.

With two down in the inning, Jimmerson then connected on her first round-tripper of the day to cut the deficit to one run.

In the top of the sixth inning, Sudduth got a blooper to fall over the infield that just missed the outstretched glove of the left fielder to tie the game at 4-4. Two-out rallies from the Gamecocks proved to be a thorn in the side of the Governors on multiple occasions.

The final damage was done in the top of the ninth inning when freshman Alex Howard put JSU in front with a pinch-hit solo home run before Jimmerson recorded her second blast of the game just one batter later. An error on the Governor shortstop allowed the seventh and final Gamecock runner of the game to cross home plate.

Key performances

Kelsey Gross was hit with the loss, but went 1-for-3 with an RBI and two walks to reach base three times. The Governor senior was named OVC Player and Co-Pitcher of the Week on Monday for her previous performances throughout the week, finishing with a .462 batting average, two home runs, 10 RBIs, three runs scored on offense and a 0.00 ERA with four strikeouts, one win and one save on the mound.

The Collierville, Tennessee, native became the first Governor in program history to earn both accolades within the same week.

“She’s everything that we could ask for,” Stanfill said. “I’ll be honest. I always say she’s a fierce competitor who hates to lose. She comes in every day and gives it her all. She leads by example and she’s doing her thing this year which is awesome to see since it’s her last year.”

Jackson led the Govs at the dish, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

The Governors had won 10 consecutive contests before falling to the Gamecocks in extra innings. Stanfill shared what worked well over the recent stretch in order for her group to rack up the victories.

“I would say Team 36 figured out how to act as a unit and play as a team,” Stanfill said. “We always talk about we’re stronger in a pack and I think over the last couple weeks, we’ve found a way to make that happen. We don’t care about just the individual success, we’re truly showing up for one another. Team 36 is starting to play with one goal in mind and I think that shows on the field.”

Up next

Austin Peay (20-9, 15-7 OVC) hosts Chattanooga (9-18, 5-3 SOCON) Wednesday, April 14, at 5 p.m. in a non-conference, but in-state matchup.

“To bounce back,” Stanfill said on what she hopes to see from her team against the Mocs. “We’re coming off of a loss, but we have a chance to kind of get back on the horse and compete. I think we’ll have some different people playing a little bit. Just trying to get some others some rest, but still finding a way to win and walk away with the W.”