CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Designated hitter Cayce Bredlau hit a home run and had three RBI to pace Austin Peay State University’s baseball team to a 14-4 victory against Mercer, Saturday afternoon, at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Returning to the Govs lineup after missing three games due to an injury, Bredlau made an immediate impact, leading off the bottom of the first with a home run. After being intentionally walked in the third, he hit a two-run double in the fourth to help put the game out of reach. Bredlau finished the day 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Bredlau’s solo shot was joined by right fielder Chase Hamilton’s leadoff home run in the seventh. The two shots pushed the Govs total to 25 home runs in their first 10 games of 2017.
Third baseman Parker Phillips pocketed a pair of doubles on the day and the Govs finished with four doubles. Austin Peay has 19 doubles in its last five games and now has 24 on the season.
Right-handed starter Caleb Powell found the win column for the first time this season, overcoming long innings by the Govs offense in both the third and fourth frames to go five frames. It was his first win since April 12 of last season at Belmont. It ended a streak of four consecutive starts without a decision.
It took until the season’s 10th game, but Austin Peay’s bullpen finally has a save to its credit. Lefty Zach Neff tossed the final four innings without allowing a run to pick up the long save.
Designated hitter Cayce Bredlau appeared in the leadoff spot for the first time since April 8, 2015. His move into the lineup and subsequent home run in his first at-bat back in the lineup, sparked the Govs offense early.
After a disappointing outing in Friday’s series opener, Austin Peay’s (6-4) offense wasted no time getting started in Saturday’s contest. Designated hitter Cayce Bredlau got APSU on the board first with his leadoff home run in the bottom of the first. The Govs used an error later in the first to add to their lead, first baseman Dre Gleason tacking on a sacrifice fly for the early 2-0 lead.
Mercer (8-3) fought back in the second with catcher Charlie Madden and right fielder Trey Truitt combining for back-to-back solo home runs to tie the game.
That was the only blip by Austin Peay starter Caleb Powell early. He opened the day by retiring the Bears in order in the first before the two-run second. Powell then allowed solitary singles in the third and fourth inning, working around each to post zeroes on the scoreboard.
Austin Peay and Mercer close their three-game series with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.