Govs unable to tame Wildcats in series opener

MANHATTAN, Kan. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) Catcher Alex Sala hit his season’s first home run and Austin Peay State University’s baseball team pounded out 18 hits but it wasn’t enough in a 15-10 nonconference loss to Kansas State, Tuesday night at Tointon Family Stadium.

For the fourth straight game, Austin Peay (13-8) found itself trailing after the first inning. Kansas State batted in four runs in the bottom of the first – three scoring on designated hitter Jordan Maxson’s single aided by a Governors error.

And like the three games prior to Tuesday’s affair, the Governors forged a come-from-behind effort to take the lead early. Austin Peay struck for five runs with two outs in the fourth inning – Sala’s two-run home run highlighting the outburst as the Govs took a 6-5 lead.

Kansas State (12-8) regained the lead with two runs in its half of the fourth, Maxson again giving the Wildcats a 7-6 lead with his sacrifice fly. Austin Peay would rally again to tie the game, 7-7, in the fifth as Sala doubled and then scored on a KSU defensive miscue.

The Wildcats took control in their half of the fifth, striking for five runs in the frame to take a commanding 12-7 lead. Shortstop Cameron Thompson supplied a two-run double and right fielder Hanz Harker capped the burst with a three-run home run.

Austin Peay would edge closer – scoring two runs in the seventh on shortstop Garrett Kueber’s bases-loaded single and adding another run on another Kansas State miscue in the ninth—but could not close the gap.

Sala finished with a triple shy of the cycle in his 3-for-5, two RBI outing. Giovannelli and Kueber each had four hit days, Giovannelli scoring four times in a 4-for-6 outing while Kueber drove in two runs in his 4-for-4 effort.

Govs reliever Greg Leban (1-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and four walks in 1.1 innings. Maxson ended the day 2-for-5 with three RBI while Harker added a 2-for-2, four RBI outing that included three walks to pace the Kansas State offense. Wildcats reliever Hudson Treu (1-0) notched the win with two innings of work, allowing two runs on three hits.

Austin Peay closes its stay in the Sunflower State with a noon, Wednesday contest. The Governors will send freshman lefty Harley Gollert (1-1, 5.02 ERA) to the mound for his second start this season.