Govs unable to hold on for win at Tennessee Tech

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Austin Peay State University’s baseball team rallied to take an early lead but could not hold on in a 12-6 Ohio Valley Conference loss to Tennessee Tech, Sunday afternoon, at Bush Stadium.

Austin Peay (14-11, 5-4 OVC) took advantage of a Tennessee Tech to grab the lead in the third inning. First baseman Parker Phillips gave the Govs the lead with a sacrifice fly and designated hitter Alex Sala added a run-scoring single for a 4-2 lead.

Tennessee Tech (18-5, 8-1 OVC) would get a run back with second baseman John Ham’s solo home run in the third. However, the Govs responded right back when catcher David Martinez hit his first home run as a Governor in the fourth.

However, the Golden Eagles continued to pound away. Third baseman Trevor Putzig gave Tennessee Tech the lead for good with a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth for a 7-5 lead. The Golden Eagles tacked on two more runs in the fifth, extending the lead to 9-5.

The Governors would have opportunities to narrow the deficit in the final innings. Austin Peay loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Tennessee Tech brought in closer Ethan Roberts who struck out the first batter he faced to end the threat.

Austin Peay would get a run off Roberts with two doubles in the ninth, reliever Brett Newberg’s double into the right field corner plating a run. The Govs again loaded the bases with two out, but Roberts escaped the jam by inducing a game-ending ground out.

Five Govs had two hits each in a 13-hit outing by the offense. First baseman Parker Phillips led the way with a 1-for-3, two RBI effort. Govs reliever Tyler Thompson (1-4) was left with the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in two innings.

Tennessee Tech relief pitcher Alex Hursey (4-2) picked up the win after holding the Govs to one run on seven hits in 4.1 innings. Roberts allowed one run over the final 2.1 innings to notch his season’s fifth save.

Austin Peay will get the week off before hosting Southeast Missouri in a three-game OVC set at Raymond C. Hand Park. With the upcoming Easter holiday, the three-game set is scheduled to begin with a 6 p.m., Thursday contest followed by a 6 p.m., Friday matchup. The three-game set will conclude with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest.