SAUGET, Ill. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – Austin Peay State University’s baseball team took advantage of a drove of pitching miscues in the seventh inning to break open a close game and post a 9-3 victory against South Dakota State, Saturday, at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.

Trailing 2-1 entering the seventh, Austin Peay (2-0) capitalized on five walks, three wild pitches, two passed balls and a mental miscue to score six runs in the seventh. Left fielder Brandon Kelley, who made his first APSU start, opened the inning with a bunt single and shortstop Garrett Kueber followed with a sacrifice bunt that SDSU mishandled, giving the Govs two runners to start the inning.

The duo executed a double steal before the first Jackrabbits passed ball allowed Kelley to score, tying the game. After second baseman Garrett Giovannelli walked, a wild pitch allowed Kueber to score, giving the Govs a 3-2 lead. Giovannelli would later score on catcher David Martinez’ sacrifice fly to provide the game-securing run.

The game was a pitcher’s duel through six innings. Austin Peay starter Jacques Pucheu allowed a one-out home run in the first inning but then retired the next 11 batters he faced before allowing a leadoff single in the sixth that eventually scored. SDSU starter Brady Moxham dodged in and out of trouble, including the Govs loading the bases in the first, through his five innings, but held the Govs to one run on four hits.

Govs reliever Greg Leban (1-0) picked up the win in his debut, allowing one run while retiring three of the six batters he faced. Reliever Harley Gollert followed by retiring eight of the nine batters he faced to finish the game. Pucheu (nine strikeouts), Leban (three) and Gollert (two) combined for 14 strikeouts in 34 batters faced.

Offensively, Giovannelli paced the Govs with a 2-for-4 outing that saw him walk, steal two bases and scored three times. Outfielder Nick Walker also had two hits while designated hitter Andrew Flaherty and catcher David Martinez had two RBI each.

Otis Roby (0-1) suffered the loss for the Jackrabbits after allowing four runs (one earned) on a hit and two walks in 1.1 innings. The SDSU offense was held to three hits.

Austin Peay closes its stay in the St. Louis area with a 3 p.m., Sunday contest against Illinois.