CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – John McDonald batted in two runs as part of a four-run sixth inning that pushed Austin Peay State University’s baseball team to an 8-7 victory against Indiana State, Saturday, at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Governors starter Jacques Pucheu and Sycamores starter Triston Polley battled in a pitcher’s duel through the first five innings, but each had their own method of getting through five frames.
Pucheu battled throughout his first five innings, seeing 21 batters. He would face a bases-loaded situation in the third with one out but neatly helped his own cause by starting a double play through home plate to end the inning. Then in the fourth, he cut down a runner at home on a squeeze bunt attempt before inducing another inning-ending double play.
Polley would face just 15 batters through four innings, allowing only three base runners. The Governors would get just one runner in scoring position but Polley ended the threat with a strikeout. He would surrender a run in the fifth after allowing a two-out walk and a hit batsmen. Govs shortstop Garrett Giovannelli broke the tie with a run-scoring single but the Govs saw a potential second run downed at the plate to end the inning.
But Pucheu and Polley both ran out of gas in the sixth and the offenses took advantage. Pucheu would surrender three straight two-out walks to allow a game-tying run before departing the game. Reliever Brett Newberg was greeted rudely when Indiana State shortstop Clay Dungan singled to drive in two more runs for a 3-1 lead.
Austin Peay (8-2) immediately responded when Polley walked two consecutive batters with one out in the sixth to see his outing come to an end. ISU reliever Jake Ridgway nearly escaped the base-loaded jam left behind by inducing a potential double play but pinch hitter John McDonald beat the play at first and two runs scored, giving the Govs a 5-3 lead.
Left fielder Nick Walker would extend the Austin Peay lead to 7-3 with a two-run home run in the seventh. Designated hitter Parker Phillips tacked on the final run with by beating out another potential double play to allow catcher Alex Sala to score.
Indiana State (5-5) would threaten in the ninth with designated hitter Romero Harris driving in two runs with a triple. The Govs lead would dwindle to a run when Harris scored on a defensive miscue. However, reliever Harley Gollert responded by inducing another ground out to end the game.
Newberg (2-0) would pick up the win after allowing one run on two hits in his 2.1 innings. Pucheu allowed three runs while surrendering seven hits and five walks in 5.2 innings.
Walker ended the day 2-for-4 with two RBI, reaching base safely in each of his final three plate appearances. Second baseman Garret Giovannelli went 3-for-3 with a RBI single, a double and two walks.
Polley (2-1) suffered his season’s first loss after allowing five runs on four hits and six walks in his 5.1 innings. Center fielder Luke Fegen had a hit in each of his first four at-bats before ending the day 4-for-5 with a RBI.
Austin Peay and Indiana State conclude their three-game series with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park. The Governors will send right Brandon Vial (1-0) to the mound while the Sycamores starter was still to be announced as of the end of Saturday’s game.