CHARLESTON, Ill. – (ESPN Clarksville) Austin Peay State University’s baseball team used a program-record 34-hit outing to roll past Eastern Illinois, 29-4, Saturday in Ohio Valley Conference action at Coaches Stadium.
Austin Peay’s (28-20, 18-8 OVC) 34-hit day broke the program record of 33 hits set in 2007 and they came one run shy of tying the program’s scoring mark set in 1998. Sixteen different Governors recorded a hit in the contest, 11 of those posting multi-hit outings.
Included in the day’s hit tally were six home runs – two shy of tying the program record. In fact, it was a grand slam by left fielder Aaron Campbell that opened the scoring in the first inning. Right fielder Parker Phillips added a three-run homer in the third to help extend the lead to 14-0.
Two innings later catcher David Martinez joined the home run parade with a solo shot. His brother, Sebastian, made his first collegiate hit a memorable one with a three-run home run in the eighth inning. The duo became the first brothers known to post home runs in the same game in program history.
But the Govs home run barrage wasn’t done. Two batters after Sebastian Martinez’ home run, catcher Alex Sala powered his second home run in seven days to right field. Shortstop Bobby Head capped the day with a two-run home run to left.
Austin Peay starting pitcher Jacques Pucheu (7-3) backed up the offensive outburst with five scoreless innings of work for his seventh win. He struck out five batters while scattering two hits and two walks before seeing his day end early for extra rest before next week’s outing.
Eastern Illinois (24-26, 13-16) would break up the shutout bid against the Governors bullpen in the sixth when an error assisted in a run scoring single. The Panthers would tack on four runs in the ninth, designated hitter Jimmy Huber hitting a solo home run to right, but it was too little too late.
Campbell, who left Game 1 of the series early due to injury, returned with an impressive 4-for-6 outing that included Govs season-high tying seven RBI. Phillips went 3-for-4 with four RBI and scored four times. First baseman John McDonald went 4-for-6 with a RBI.
Huber came off the bench to lead Eastern Illinois’ nine-hit outing with a 2-for-2 performance. Third baseman Christian Pena and first baseman Hunter Morris each had two hits.
Austin Peay and Eastern Illinois conclude their three-game OVC set with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest at Coaches Stadium.