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Volunteers’ big fifth inning drops Governors




Austin Peay’s John McDonald waits on a pickoff throw as Tennessee’s Drew Gilbert dives back to first.ROBERT SMITH

Austin Peay’s John McDonald waits on a pickoff throw as Tennessee’s Drew Gilbert dives back to first.ROBERT SMITH

The Austin Peay baseball team held their home opener on Wednesday, March 3 in front of a crowd wearing equal parts red and orange.

After their opening day was moved from Tuesday against Lipscomb due to field conditions following the prior weekend’s flooding, the Governors announced in a surprise move that they would face an in-state opponent who was also looking for a new opponent after a cancellation: the No. 17 ranked Tennessee Volunteers.

The Vols’ long trip back to Knoxville went a bit shorter after coming back with a 5-3 victory over the Governors.

With plenty of traffic entering Raymond C. Hand on a beautiful afternoon for the in-state matchup between David and Goliath, it was only right that the bases were buzzing with base runners the entire game. The teams combined to strand 19 runners to go with the eight men who crossed home plate.

Despite losing, it was actually the Governors who jumped ahead early. Following the departure of UT starting pitcher Camden Sewell, former Mt. Juliet Golden Bear Jake Fitzgibbons took the mound in the bottom of the third inning. He faced five batters, allowing three hits, one walk and three earned runs while getting only one out.

Austin Peay’s John Bolton tags out Tennesse’s Max Ferguson on a steal attempt. ROBERT SMITH

Austin Peay’s John Bolton tags out Tennesse’s Max Ferguson on a steal attempt. ROBERT SMITH

Outfielder Garrett Spain and first baseman John McDonald each drove in one run and Spain ended up scoring on a wild pitch.

The lead held until the top of the fifth when APSU’s Matt Magrann took over. Tennessee pounced on the redshirt freshman, scoring five runs — all earned — on four hits, one walk and one hit batter. Third baseman Jake Rucker knotted the game with a two-run single and left fielder Drew Gilbert delivered the go-ahead run two batters later.

While there were still five frames for the Governors to either tie or take the lead, they were unable to muster any offense against former Rossview Hawk pitcher Elijah Pleasants. The junior pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and striking out six batters. He earned his first win of the season while Magrann fell to 0-1.

Austin Peay players celebrate after Garrett Spain scored. ROBERT SMITH

Austin Peay players celebrate after Garrett Spain scored. ROBERT SMITH

The defeat brings the Governors to just 1-6 in 2021. They’ll travel to Natchitoches, La. for a three-game series against Northwestern State beginning on Friday.

Austin Peay’s Luke Brown throws against Tennessee.ROBERT SMITH

Austin Peay’s Luke Brown throws against Tennessee.ROBERT SMITH

 

 

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