CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay State University softball team picked up a crucial series win over Lipscomb at the end of April to clinch a spot in the ASUN Championship. In the ASUN, the top four teams from each division make the tournament, while the bottom two from each side miss out.

The Govs got matched up against FGCU in the first round on Tuesday. The Govs entered the tournament with a 30-24 overall record and a 12-12 mark in conference play, while the Eagles entered at 21-33 overall and 14-10 in ASUN play. The Govs struck first in the contest, scoring a run in the top of second inning off an Emilee Baker single. Unfortunately, the Govs would only get one more hit during the course of the game. Despite a strong pitching performance from Alanah Jones, the Govs ultimately fell 2-1, ending their season.

Austin Peay's softball team earned an 8-0, six-inning win against Eastern Kentucky in the second game of a Friday doubleheader at Cathi Maynard Park on May 1, 2026, in Clarksville, Tennessee. (Alex Allard, APSU Athletics.)
Austin Peay’s softball team earned an 8-0, six-inning win against Eastern Kentucky in the second game of a Friday doubleheader at Cathi Maynard Park on May 1, 2026, in Clarksville, Tennessee. (Alex Allard, APSU Athletics.)

“Obviously it’s not the way we wanted the season to end, but I’m proud of the way our team fought throughout both this game and the season as a whole,” head coach Kassie Stanfill told Clarksville Now. “Team 41 is full of competitors. They rallied together all season long and as a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”

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Despite the early exit, the Govs managed to cross the 30-win mark and finish .500 or better in conference play for the second season in a row.

“I want to give a special shoutout to our seniors,” the coach said. “Whether this was their first year as a Gov or they spent four years here, they believed in us and allowed us to coach them.”

The good news is that the Govs should have plenty of production returning for 2027. Brie Howard, Katie Raper, and Kiley Hinton were all key pieces in 2026 who still have eligibility remaining. Additionally, Coach Stanfill now has the positive momentum of two consecutive winning seasons in Stacheville.

“Team 41 was built on the success of Team 40 and every single team that came before them, and we look forward to continued success next year with Team 42!”

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