Austin Peay State University Sports Information
Clarksville, TN – Second baseman Bobby Head hit his season’s third home run, but the Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team saw its seven-game home win streak come to an end in an 8-3 nonconference loss to Murray State, Wednesday night on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.
Austin Peay State University (12-11) had plenty of opportunities to produce runs in the contest, leaving nine men on base.
However, the Govs could not deliver a key hit, finishing 0-for-14 with a runner in scoring position. Only catcher Alex Sala provided an RBI with a runner in scoring position, driving in a run with a fielder’s choice in the second inning.
Murray State (11-13) jumped out in the first inning with first baseman Ryan Perkins supplying two runs with a one-out single. Governors’ starter Nolan Monaghan would settle in after the single, retiring the next seven batters – five by strikeouts.
The Racers would break through again in the fourth. After a leadoff walk, it was Perkins again delivering with a home run and extending the MSU lead to 4-1. One inning later, APSU would intentionally walk Perkins, but shortstop Jaron Robinson responded with a two-run single, pushing the lead to 7-1 which the Govs would not challenge.
Monaghan (0-1) went 3.1 innings in his first start, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks. He suffered the loss despite striking out seven of the 16 batters he faced. Reliever Ryan Kouba struck out two batters, and Devin O’Donovan added four strikeouts.
Head went 1-for-4 with an RBI including his home run in the sixth inning. Sala went 2-for-4 with a double while shortstop Garrett Kueber was 2-for-5 with a triple.
Perkins paced Murray State with his 2-for-3, four RBI outing that included a home run. Second baseman Jordan Holly added a solo home run as part of his 2-for-4, two RBI effort.
Racers starter Joe Ivey (3-1) held the Govs to one run and three hits over his four-plus innings to notch the win.
Austin Peay continues its five-game homestand when it hosts Ohio Valley Conference-leading Belmont in a three-game league series. The Govs and Bruins begin the series with a 6:00pm, Friday contest.
