OXFORD, Ala. – (ESWPN CLARKSVILLE) Austin Peay State University’s baseball team could not finish a sweep of its Ohio Valley Conference-opening series against Jacksonville State, dropping a 13-0 decision, Sunday at Choccolocco Park.

Austin Peay (10-6, 2-1 OVC) had trouble solving Jacksonville State starting pitcher Colton Pate, who scattered four hits and two walks in his six innings. The Governors biggest threat came in the eighth inning against reliever Austin Brewster when they loaded the bases with no outs. However, JSU closer Trent Simpson entered the game, struck out a batter and induced a double play to end the threat.

Jacksonville State (10-5, 1-2 OVC) saw its offense break out for 18 hits in the win, including six doubles and a home run. After being held off the board in the first two frames, the Gamecocks scored in each of their final six innings.

The Gamecocks broke the game open in the fourth with three of those doubles, center fielder Taylor Hawthorne driving in a pair of runs with his two-bagger and first baseman Andrew Naismith tacked on the inning’s fourth run with his double for a 5-0 lead.

Governors starter Josh Rye (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing one run on four hits in 2.2 innings. Austin Peay used six pitchers in the contest, all but one surrendering a run. Center fielder Imani Willis and right fielder Nick Walker each went 2-for-3 to pace Austin Peay’s seven-hit outing.

Simpson led Jacksonville State with a 2-for-4, five RBI outing that saw him add a three-run home run in the eighth inning. Shortstop Isaac Alexander added a 4-for-6 outing at the plate.
Pate (3-1) picked up the win with six scoreless innings of work, striking out eight of the 24 Governors he would face, allowing four hits and three walks.

The Governors suffered their first shutout of 2018 with Sunday’s loss. It was Austin Peay’s first shutout since April 1, 2017 when they were blanked by Southeast Missouri, 10-0, in Cape Girardeau.

Austin Peay returns Clarksville to start a four-game homestand with a 6 p.m., Tuesday contest against Middle Tennessee. The Governors then host Murray State in a three-game OVC set scheduled to start with a 6 p.m., Friday contest.