CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – Center fielder Imani Willis’ walk-off single helped Austin Peay State University’s baseball team complete a three-game sweep of Toledo with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings, Sunday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay (6-1) held a 7-6 lead after the sixth inning and both bullpens made that score stand until the ninth inning. In the top of the ninth, Toledo tied the game with left fielder John Servello’s two-out home run. The Rockets would threaten to take the lead in the inning, but Govs reliever Harley Gollert induced a lineout to end the threat.
Gollert (1-0) would work around a one-out walk in the 10th to hold the score at 7-7. Austin Peay would open its half of the 10th with third baseman Malcom Tipler’s single and moved him into scoring position with pinch hitter David Martinez’ sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Willis would work the count to 2-1 before driving the ball through the left side of the infield and Tipler scampered home with the winning run.
Willis finished the day going 2-for-4 with a RBI and posted seven RBI in the three-game set. Shortstop Garrett Kueber led off the game with his first collegiate home run as part of a 3-for-5 outing. Third baseman Bobby Head had a two-run single in the fourth as part of his 2-for-4 day.
Gollert picked up his first collegiate win after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, striking out a batter. Reliever Brett Newberg was left with no decision despite holding Toledo to two runs on four hits while striking out six over five innings.
Third baseman Brad Boss had a solo home run and RBI single as part of his 2-for-4, two RBI performance. Catcher Michael Ryan and Servello – batting eighth and ninth in the Toledo batting order, respectively – each had two RBI.
Toledo reliever Luke Schaefer (0-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing the winning run in his only inning of work that saw him retire only two batters.