By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team couldn't get the offense to roll Friday evening, falling to in-state rival Austin Peay in the first contest of a three-game, Ohio Valley Conference series by a final score of 6-0.
The Governors (6-9, 2-2) held the Golden Eagles (10-7, 2-2) to just four hits in the contest, capitalizing on its own seven markers in the hits column to plate six runs.
Austin Peay took the early advantage on the night, scoring three times in the first inning on an RBI single and then a two-run double. A fourth base runner rounded third in an attempt to put an exclamation point on the frame, but Tech centerfield Kevin Strohschein and shortstop Jay Meuse combined with catcher John Elford to throw out the Gov at the plate.
Both sides traded zeros on the scoreboard over the next six innings, with the Golden Eagles struggling to get much going. In the seventh, Austin Peay doubled its lead with a three-run double down the right field line. The hit would provide the final score of 6-0.
Meuse gathered two of the team's four hits in the contest while Strohschein and freshman John Dyer accounted for the other two. Nic Dye was impressive in relief, tossing five and one third frame while allowing just one hit and striking out five. He allowed just two earned runs after leaving the contest in the seventh.
Austin Peay's Josh Rye earned the victory, completing five frames without a run allowed. He scattered three hits and three walks.
Game two of the series is slated for a 1:00 p.m. CT start Saturday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville.
Photo by Tony Marable