Box ScoreCLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – In the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both Eastern Illinois and Austin Peay, the Govs pulled away in the late innings, scoring three runs in the final three frames, as the Panthers fell 5-3 in the first game of the three-game series. EIU now stands at 1-12 on the season, as APSU moves to 6-6 on the season. Game two of the series between EIU and APSU will begin tomorrow at a new scheduled time of 11 a.m.
The Govs found themselves on the scoreboard first in the series opener against the Panthers. Singles by Patrick Massoni and Dre Gleason put runners at first and second for Austin Peay. Josh Wilson provided the big blow in the inning with a double to left center that brought in Massoni and Gleason to put the home team ahead 2-0 after the first frame.
Joseph Duncan reached on an error by the Govs third baseman and stole second to put himself in scoring position for the Panthers in the third inning. A single by
Cale Hennemann brought home Duncan to pull EIU within a run.
Demetre Taylor followed that with a single of his own to put runners at first and second. Austin Peay starter Alex Robles got the next EIU batter to groundout to keep the score at 2-1 in favor of the Govs after three innings played.
Duncan doubled to lead-off the top of the fifth inning for Eastern Illinois. After a walk to
Dane Toppel, Hennemann moved Duncan and Toppel up 90 feet with a sacrifice bunt. Taylor tied the game with an RBI single, and quickly stole second to put runners at second and third again for the Panthers. Robels once again worked out of the jam and kept the score tied at 2-2.
Austin Peay broke the tie with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Wilson reached first on a bunt single. A walk put runners at first and second for the Govs. Wilson then moved up another 90 feet as he stole third base. The Govs executed a perfect double steal and Wilson scored on the play to put Austin Peay ahead by one.
Austin Peay began to pull away from the Panthers in the bottom of the eighth inning as Ridge Smith tripled to the right center gap that brought home a pair to put the Govs ahead 5-2 heading into the final frame.
The Panthers would not fold easily in the ninth as Duncan doubled for the second time in the game. Toppel singled out to left to bring in Duncan and pull EIU within two. Austin Peay closer Brett Newberg got the next two Panthers on a foul out and a strike out to earn his second save of the season and give the host Govs the 5-3 victory in the series opener.
Matt Wivinis (0-4) suffered the loss, allowing three runs over seven innings on the mound. Robles (3-1) picked up the win for Austin Peay, allowing two runs over eight innings of work.
The Panthers recorded eight hits in the opener, as Taylor and Duncan led the offense with two hits each.
