CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN Clarksville) Right fielder Parker Phillips hit his 50th career home run in Austin Peay State University baseball team’s 8-3 nonconference victory against Jacksonville as part of Senior Day, Sunday afternoon on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Phillips hit two home runs in the contest. His first of the day, and 49th career homer, provided the game’s first three runs in the first inning. Two innings later, he tied his own single-season home run mark with his 19th blast – 50th career – to lead off the third and give the Govs a 4-0 lead.
Austin Peay (26-19) would add a run to its lead in the third when shortstop Garrett Kueber doubled and then scored on left fielder Aaron Campbell’s single. Catcher Alex Sala pushed the lead to 6-0 with a leadoff home run in the fourth.
Ryan Kouba (3-0), making his first start for the Governors, benefitted from the early support and provided four scoreless innings of his own, striking out three while scattering three hits and a walk. Austin Peay used four pitchers out of the bullpen, including closer Brett Newberg whose 96th career appearance set an Austin Peay mark.
Jacksonville (25-22) would break up the Govs shutout bid in the sixth when third baseman Angel Camacho was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Dolphins would get two more runs in the ninth on center fielder Ruben Someillan’s double.
Phillips went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI to lead the Govs offense. Campbell went 2-for-3 with three RBI, adding a two-run single in the eighth. Jacksonville starter Austin Temple (3-3) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks over three innings.
Austin Peay begins a four-game road trip with a 5 p.m. (CT), Tuesday contest against nationally-ranked Tennessee in Knoxville.