FRIDAY'S SCORES
Austin Peay 13, @Eastern Illinois 9
@Murray State 5-1, UT Martin 2-2
@Jacksonville State 6, SIUE 2
@Southeast Missouri 3, Eastern Kentucky 2 (12)
@Tennessee Tech 3-8, Morehead State 2-10
Mercer 5,
@Belmont 4
AUSTIN PEAY 13, EASTERN ILLINOIS 9
CHARLESTON, Ill. - Center fielder Garrett Spain homered and had three RBI as Austin Peay State University’s baseball team won a wild Ohio Valley Conference series opener, 13-9, against Eastern Illinois, Friday, at Coaches Stadium.
Austin Peay (27-20, 17-8 OVC) got out to as good a start as it could have imagined, sending 12 men to the plate in the first inning and scoring six runs. The Govs saw their cause helped by four walks (two with the bases loaded), a hit batter and an error. However, APSU helped its cause with left fielder Aaron Campbell’s two-run double and second baseman Malcolm Tipler’s two-run single.
Eastern Illinois (24-25, 13-15 OVC) did not let the Govs opening rally go unanswered. The Panthers hit four home runs over the next three innings to close the gap. Center fielder Grant Emme had a two-run homer in the first and added a solo shot in the third. Catcher Ryan Knernschield and second baseman Jimmy Govern also had solo home runs as the Panthers closed to 6-5.
However, the Govs bullpen entered the fray and stalled the Panthers run. Reliever Tucker Weaver was the first man out of the bullpen and struck out a batter to end the third with the tying run on base then added two more scoreless frames. Greg Leban would add another two scoreless innings of work before a two-run home run ended his outing.
While the relief corps was holding the fort, Austin Peay’s offense started to solve Eastern Illinois reliever Tyler Jones. A three-run fifth came together thanks to a Tipler RBI double and Spain’s two-out RBI single. Another three-run burst in the eighth opened with Spain’s leadoff home run and designated hitter Matt Joslin added a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 13-7.
Weaver (1-1) notched his first win as a Governor with his 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, striking out four of the eight batters he faced while allowing one hit. Leban struck out six of the 11 batters he faced and closer Brett Newberg tossed a scoreless ninth to secure the win.
Spain led the Govs with a 2-for-4, three RBI outing that included his sixth home run of 2019. Tipler went 3-for-4 with a double and a walk.
EIU starter Michael Yasenka did not make it out of the first inning, surrendering six runs on three hits and four walks while recording two outs in the loss. Reliever Tyler Jones went 6.1 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks.
Emme paced Eastern Illinois with his 2-for-4, three RBI outing. First baseman Hunter Morris added a 1-for-4, three RBI effort that included a two-run home run in the eighth.
MURRAY STATE 5-1, UT MARTIN 2-2
MURRAY, Ky. - The University of Tennessee at Martin baseball squad split today’s doubleheader at Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State. The Skyhawks dropped Game 1 by a score of 5-2 before claiming a 2-1 victory in Game 2.
UT Martin (21-28, 9-17 OVC) was led on the day by Tyson Cox and Billy Edwards as the duo tallied three hits apiece between the two games. Jordan Stoner (two hits), Sean Dixson (two hits) and Casey Harford all drove in one run each on the day. Blake Daniels notched a two-hit day while Blake Davis picked up one knock.
The Skyhawk arms put together a solid day as the trio of Austen Bullington, Sam Folks and Nick Wohlbold all combined for 17 innings of six-run baseball. The three hurlers fanned 13 batters across 17 innings and held opposing batters to a paltry .138 batting average between the two games.
The first contest of the day saw Stoner and Harford drive in one run apiece. Edwards paced the club in knocks with a pair in the game while Stoner, Dixson, Davis and Daniels all tallied one hit each.
Bullington (3-8) drew the starting nod in Game 1 and tossed all eight innings for the Skyhawks. He conceded five earned runs on six hits and a walk but fanned four batters along the way.
Murray State jumped out to an early lead as the Racers plated a pair of runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 advantage.
Bullington made quick work of Murray State in the second inning as he needed just four pitches to breeze through the frame. He induced a first pitch groundout to the leadoff batter, a first-pitch line out to the next batter and then found a friendly ground ball to get out of the inning.
UT Martin matched the two runs in the third inning as Edwards got the frame started with a single to right field. Cox then reached on a fielding error by the pitcher before a Dixson fly out would move Edwards to third to put runners at the corners. A Stoner single drove in Edwards as an error by the Racer right fielder allowed Cox to move to third base. Stoner would advance to second on a wild pitch to put a pair of runners in scoring position. Harford then flied out to right field that allowed Cox to come home and knotted the score up 2-2.
Bullington retired the side in order in the home half of the third as he rung up the first batter followed by a fly out and ground out, respectively.
Murray State pushed one more run across in the fourth to pull ahead for the final time to make the score 3-2.
Over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, Bullington retired the side in order in all three frames. In the fifth, he required six pitches as he opened with a fly out to right, followed that up with a pop out to the short stop and ended the frame with a line out to right field. The sixth inning saw Bullington induce a groundout to second, ring up a batter on strikes and force a line out to right, respectively. He began the seventh with a groundout to short followed by a foul out to third base and concluded the inning with a fly out to right field.
In game two, Cox paced the Skyhawks in the hit column as he collected a trio of knocks in the contest. Dixson was credited with the squad’s lone RBI while he along with Stoner, Daniels and Edwards all tallied a hit.
Folks (4-6) got the start in the back end of the doubleheader and tossed seven great innings. He allowed just one earned run on two hits and a pair of walks while he recorded six strikeouts in the process. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth as he kept the Racers out of the hit column for five full frames. Wohlbold picked up his 12th save of the season as he logged two perfect innings and fanned three along the way.
Folks made a statement with the first batter he faced as he forced a swinging strikeout. He retired the side in order over the first three innings of action. The aforementioned strikeout opened the first as he then forced a groundout to second base followed by a pop out to short. In the second, he induced a pair of fly outs to center and a groundout back to himself, respectively. The third inning saw Folks get a friendly ground ball to second to open the inning. He then struck out the next batter before forcing a line out to second base.
Folks allowed his first baserunner when the first runner he faced in the fourth drew a five-pitch free base. Folks then forced a lineout to the shortstop, a groundout to third base and a strikeout looking, respectively, to end the inning. In the fifth, Folks worked around a leadoff walk before sandwiching a strikeout in between a pair of fly outs.
Murray State drew first blood in the sixth as the Racers were able to find a run to take a 1-0 advantage.
Folks’ last inning of work came in the seventh and he made the most of his time as he fanned the first batter of the frame before finding a friendly groundball to third and a fly out to right.
UT Martin pushed two runs across the plate in the eighth as Daniels led off the frame with an infield single back to the shortstop. Edwards then poked a ball out to right field just before Cox tallied an infield hit of his own. Daniels would be the first out recorded though as he was tagged out on the base paths. A Dixson knock to second base would be enough for Edwards to scoot home and put runners at the corners. Stoner then drew a six-pitch free base to juice the bases. Later in the inning, Cox would come home on a passed ball to give the Skyhawks a 2-1 lead.
Wohlbold entered in the eighth and bookended the frame with a pair of strikeouts as he found a foul out in between. The ninth saw him find a friendly ground ball to short before he fanned the next batter. He secured the victory as he induced a fly ball out to right field.
JACKSONVILLE STATE 6, SIUE 2
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - For the second consecutive game the Jacksonville State baseball team turned in a walk-off win as junior Alex Webb blasted a grand slam in the ninth to lift JSU past SIU Edwardsville, 6-2, on Friday on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
On Wednesday night, sophomore Alex Strachan delivered the game-winning hit in Jax State's win over eight-ranked Georgia. The walk off win was the sixth of the season and fifth by the home run ball. The Gamecocks now have two walk-off wins decided by a grand slam this season as redshirt freshman Nash Adams collected a grand slam in extra innings to top Troy on March 13. The win in the series opener pushed JSU to 28-21 overall and maintained its share of first place in the Ohio Valley Conference with Austin Peay. After APSU claimed a 13-9 decision over Eastern Illinois on Friday, both clubs have identical league marks at 17-8. The Cougars, fighting for one of the eight spots in the OVC Baseball Championship, fell to 17-29 on the season and 9-16 in OVC play.
JSU and SIUE will continue the series on Saturday at 6 p.m. Fans are advised to check JSUGamecockSports.com or JSU's social media platforms for any game time decisions due to the weather in the area over the weekend.
Webb's chance to break up a 2-2 deadlock came to fruition after the Gamecocks loaded the bases in their final at bat. Junior Devin Brown capped off his three-hit day with a leadoff double to left centerfield. Adams walled following the double before SIUE's Braydon Bone recorded a strikeout ahead of a single by Cole Frederick. Before Webb came to the plate, the Cougars brought in another infield for defensive purposes, but it wasn't needed as the Columbia, Tennessee native designated hitter blasted a 1-0 pitch from Bone down the right field line. Webb's sixth home run of the season traveled 386 feet and came off the bat at 102 miles per hour. He finished the day with a pair of hits and five RBI. Webb's single to right field tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning.
It was a pitchers and defensive duel throughout the game as both starters settled in after both clubs posted a pair of runs by the end of the third run. The Gamecocks handed starter Garrett Farmer a 1-0 lead to work with after a two-out RBI by senior Nic Gaddis in the first inning. SIUE's two runs came on a two-out, two-run single by catcher Brock Weimer. Farmer would post three blank innings after the two-run third inning. SIUE's Collin Baumgartner only allowed a pair of runs on eight hits.
Farmer went six innings, scattering seven hits and recording seven strikeouts in a no decision. It was the fifth appearance for the Huntsville, Alabama native that he did not issue a free pass. Junior Jackson Tavel pitched 2.1 innings before senior Austin Brewster recorded the final two outs in the SIUE half of the ninth. Brewster picked up the win and moved to 2-2 on the season. Bone suffered the los and dropped to 0-2.
Frederick joined Brown in the three-hit category with a triple and a pair of singles in three of his last four plate appearances.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 3, EASTERN KENTUCKY 2 (12)
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Danny Wright delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning to send Southeast Missouri (23-27, 10-15) to a dramatic 3-2 series-opening win over Eastern Kentucky (26-23, 12-13) Friday night at Capaha Field.
Connor Basler had a one-out single and scored the winning run on Wright's base hit to left. Wright's clutch hit came after SEMO also had the winning run on base in the ninth, 10thand 11th innings.
Basler and Wright both had an outstanding game. Both finished with three hits and combined for six of SEMO's nine in the contest.
The Redhawks finally broke through to win the game after coming up empty on three occasions.
Alex Nielsen led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk before Aaron Ochsenbein struck out three-straight hitters.
SEMO had another opportunity in the bottom of the 10thinning after Basler doubled down the right field line with one out. Wright was intentionally walked on the next play. After that, Ochsenbein struck out Tyler Wilber. Then, center fielder Michael Brewer made an over the shoulder catch on a line drive by Austin Blazevic to end the frame.
An inning later, Nielsen led off with a walk and was picked off at first base.
EKU then loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the 12thinning. Logan Thomason struck out and reached on a wild pitch. Brent Lovell was hit by a pitch and Brewer followed with a bunt single. Logan Winder struck out Corey Conklin. Will Johnson flied out to right and Devon Wilson threw out Thomason at the plate to wipe out the Colonels threat.
SEMO took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Connor Basler led off with an infield single, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Wilber.
EKU pulled ahead on a leadoff two-run home run by Will Johnson in the top of the third.
The Redhawks tied things up when Andrew Keck smacked a leadoff triple and scored on an ensuing base hit by Devon Wilson in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Logan Winder (2-1) was strong out of the bullpen, striking out five and allowing only one hit in 4.2 scoreless innings. At one time, Winder retired 11 in a row.
Winder relieved starter Dylan Dodd who struck out six in 7.1 innings. Dodd scattered six hits and allowed two runs before exiting the game in the eighth.
Ochsenbein (4-2) suffered the loss. The Colonels closer gave up a run on four hits, struck out nine and walked four in 4.1 frames. He threw 94 pitches, more than either team's starting pitcher.
TENNESSEE TECH 3-8, MOREHEAD STATE 2-10
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - In fitting fashion, it was a pair of seniors that led the Tennessee Tech baseball team to a doubleheader split with Ohio Valley Conference rival Morehead State on Senior Day.
Starter Andrew O'Dwyer and All-American Kevin Strohschein provided the excitement for the day, helping the Golden Eagles (21-28, 8-18) to a 3-2 victory over the Eagles (32-18, 15-10) in game one of Friday's doubleheader.
O'Dwyer turned in the best performance of his career in his final start at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. The southpaw struck out a career-high 10 batters while holding Morehead State scoreless for five innings. He surrendered just three hits and two walks while securing his team-high third win of the year.
Strohschein sent the Golden Eagle fan base into a frenzy in the fourth inning, leading off the frame with a mammoth blast to left field, easily one of the longest home runs of his career. The solo shot tied the McDonough, Ga. native for the OVC's career record for long balls with former Tech great Zach Stephens at 62. Additionally, it marked the 15th of his career.
It also provided Strohschein with his sixth league mark, which also includes at bats, hits, doubles, RBI and total bases. The round tripper created a 2-0 lead for Tech.
The Golden Eagles took the lead officially in the third inning, playing some small ball to give O'Dwyer some room to work with. Freshman JD Funk led off the frame with a double down the left field line. Catcher Will Long and shortstop Hunter Higdon followed by each recording sacrifice bunts, with Higdon earning an RBI.
In the seventh, the purple and gold turned in an insurance run with sophomore Jason Hinchman scoring on a sacrifice fly ball to left field for a 3-0 lead.
Sophomore reliever Tyler Sylvester staved off a late rally attempt in the ninth, garnering his third save of the year after four innings of work out of the bullpen. He induced a fly ball to left field after surrendering one earned run and two total in the ninth.
The two sides played a back-and-forth, drama-filled affair in game two, with the Golden Eagles taking the early lead in the first. Strohschein laced a double off the wall in center field, just missing out on his second dinger of the game. It did represent his career-high 20th two-bagger of the season.
After a walk to freshman John Dyer, Hinchman ripped his own double down the left field line to drive in a run. Junior Gavin Johns drove in the second run for Tech with a sacrifice fly to foul territory down the right field line.
Morehead State snagged a marker in the fourth, but Tech answered with some fireworks in the bottom half. Hinchman uncorked a huge solo jack to left center field to lead off the inning, torching the first pitch he saw for his 22nd trip around the bases on the year. It tied for the second most in program history with former Golden Eagle All-American Brandon Thomasson's 22 in 2014.
Freshman JD Funk followed two batters later, destroying his own solo four-bagger to left center field to provide a 4-1 lead.
The Eagles took over the lead in the fifth, scoring four times on the power of a three-run home run from Jake Hammon. Tech answered in the bottom half, again using the power swing to perfection.
Junior Anthony Carrera, who robbed Morehead's Stephen Hill of a home run in the first inning of the contest, slashed his own wall-clearing shot down the right field line. It represented his 13th of the season. Two batters later, Dyer hammered his own solo blast to left field, his 10th of the season. The shot gave Tech the lead once again, this time at 6-5.
In the seventh Morehead State scored three runs to take an 8-6 lead, and would add two more to that lead in the ninth. Tech mounted a rally in the bottom half, with Carrera and Strohschein notching RBI singles to cut the deficit in half.
It was as close as Tech would get as the Eagles would hold on for the victory and doubleheader split.
MERCER 5, BELMONT 4
NASHVILLE - Despite out-hitting the Bears 10-6, Belmont University Baseball dropped a hard-fought 5-4 decision to Mercer on Friday evening at E.S. Rose Park.
In the Bruins' final home series of the season, the action got started early. The Bears took a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first by way of a three-run home run.
Belmont didn't let the momentum swing too far in favor of the Bears, however, and responded well in the bottom half of the first. With consecutive base hits by seniors Zach Ehrhart (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) and Chas Hadden (Morristown, Tenn.), BU had an early RBI opportunity. Senior Devon Gardner (Maryville, Tenn.) delivered yet another base knock that scored a run to cut the lead 3-1. The Bruins scored another run when junior Hagan Severance (Brentwood, Tenn.) worked a bases-loaded walk to put BU behind just 3-2. The Bruins sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the first to keep the pressure on the Mercer.
Senior Casey Queener (Brentwood, Tenn.) settled in, notching his 100thstrikeout of the season in the top of the first.
After a scoreless second inning, Queener continued to deal and kept Mercer off the board in the third.
The Bruins continued to swing the bat well in the bottom of the third to take the lead. Senior Hunter Holland (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) started off the inning with a single up the middle. Severance continued to have a good day at the plate with a one out single through the left side to push Holland to scoring position. Freshman John Behrends (Chattanooga, Tenn.) drove the tying run across the plate when he laced an RBI single through the right side to tie things 3-3. The go-ahead run came when sophomore Logan Jarvis (Franklin, Tenn.) laid down a beautiful bunt that scored a run for a 4-3 lead
After a quick start to the game, things slowed down with no runs in the fourth or fifth innings. Mercer scored what would be the final runs of the game in the top of the sixth. A leadoff home run and a couple of hits put the Bears on top 5-4.
BU's stellar relief pitching kept the Bruins within striking distance, keeping them within a run heading into the bottom of the ninth.
The Bruins put together one last rally in the bottom of the ninth. After a quick out, Gardner wore a pitch to put the tying run aboard. He stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch to find himself just 90 feet from home plate. A couple of strikeouts ultimately halted the BU threat as the Bruins fell 5-4.