CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Austin Peay State University’s baseball team unleashed a four home run night, helping support starting pitcher Alex Robles en route to a 9-2 season-opening victory, Friday afternoon, in the second game of the Riverview Inn Governors Challenge at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Junior shortstop Kyle Wilson did not waste the opportunity to make a positive first impression, rifling the second pitch he saw as the Govs leadoff hitter over the left field wall to tie the game. He later added a RBI single to cap a 3-for-5 day in his debut. Wilson saw little action defensively, but made the most of his one chance with a quick turn off a ball tipped by Robles to convert an out in the third frame.

Senior right-hander Alex Robles got his 2017 campaign off to a solid start, striking out nine in a five-inning outing. He had just two hiccups in the outing, surrendering two solo home runs. However, he retired 10 of 11 in between the home runs, striking out six.

WELCOME BACK BREDLAU. In his first action in nearly a year, junior left fielder Cayce Bredlau delivered the biggest blow of the game with a tie-breaking two-run home run to right center in the third. That hit eventually proved to be the game-winner as it put the Govs ahead 3-1.

GLEASON AND HAMILTON SHOW POWER. Seniors Dre Gleason and Chase Hamilton, the Govs top two returning home run hitters, showed off their power form in the opener. Hamilton led off the seventh inning with a home run and had a double as part of his 2-for-4 outing. Gleason supplied a two-run home run in the seventh to cap a 3-for-4 performance.

BULLPEN STIFLES PENGUINS. Behind Robles’ outing, sophomore left-hander Brett Newberg and freshman righty Tyler Thompson kept Youngstown State’s offense bottled up. They combined to retire the final 12 batters, Newberg striking out four, to close the door.

Austin Peay continues its play in the Riverview Inn Governors Challenge with an 11:30 a.m., Saturday contest against Illinois State. The Redbirds powered past Indiana State in the tournament’s first game, 17-7, overcoming an early four-run deficit.