By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A big first inning by the Governor bats proved to be too much for the Tennessee Tech baseball team to overcome Friday evening, as Austin Peay (12-10, 6-4) defeated the Golden Eagles (10-14, 4-6) in the teams' Ohio Valley Conference series opener, 9-3.
The Govs got off to a hot start after Tech starter Chris Chism set the first batter down with a strikeout, using three hits and two Golden Eagle miscues to put together a quick 5-0 lead. Austin Peay added two more markers over the next innings, and took an eight-run lead after scoring once more in the bottom of the sixth. Chism (4-1) took his first loss of the season, despite allowing just two earned runs.
Austin Peay hurler Alex Robles did a great job of keeping the Tech bats off balance for much of the contest, holding the Golden Eagle to three hits through seven and one third of an inning of work. The Tech squad finally got to the sophomore starter in the seventh, scoring three runs to cut the lead down to 8-3.
Things kicked off with redshirt freshman Ryan Flick, who opened the inning with a solo long ball to right field. The home run marked the third of the season for the designated hitter and got the Golden Eagles into a groove quickly in the frame.
Senior catcher Jordan Hopkins reached on the next pitch thanks to an Austin Peay error and right fielder Anthony El Chibani followed with a four-pitch walk. Seeing his first action in nearly three weeks due to injury, sophomore Tyler Brazelton took advantage of the lapse of control from Robles, drilling a two-run double down the left field line to give the Golden Eagles their second and third runs of the game.
The Govs closed out Tech the rest of way, however, gathering an insurance run to finish the night with a 9-3 victory.
Logan Gray led the Austin Peay effort, going 3-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored. Brazelton did the most damage for Tech, tallying two doubles in three at bats and driving in two runs. All four Golden Eagle hits on the night went for extra bases as senior Dylan Bosheers also had a double in the contest. Bosheers also returned from a stint with an injury.
The Golden Eagles and Governors will face off again on Saturday beginning with a 2 p.m. first pitch in Clarksville.
Photo by Jim Dillon
