CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – It took extra innings to end an already delayed game one at APSU Saturday afternoon, as the Govs took the win on a walk-off single by Reed Harper in the bottom of the tenth to beat Tech, 8-7.
Tech took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a bases loaded balk and maintained it through the top of the third. However, Austin Peay put seven runs on the board to the Golden Eagles’ two as play continued through the eighth inning.
But a mildly daunting 7-3 deficit didn’t deter Tech, as the Golden Eagles put together a four-run show in the top of the ninth inning to tie the contest, forcing the Govs to bat in the bottom of the frame.
Evan Frazier led off in the top of the ninth by reaching on a fielding error, and moved to third on Michael Morris’ single into left center.
Another base hit by Austin Wulf sent Frazier across the plate and put runners on first and second. Ryne Harper got the next two batters after coming in to relieve Mike Hebert, but a second fielding error loaded the bases for Ben Burgess’ double into right center, which tied the game at 7-7.
Burgess led the Golden Eagles in game one with his 1-for-4, two RBI performance.
Tech held APSU scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, but Greg Bachman walked and moved into second on a sac bunt by John Hogan to set Harper up for the walk-off base hit. Harper and Bachman both went 2-for-5 at the plate, with Harper’s efforts yielding a team-high three RBI.
Cullen Park was tagged for the loss for Tech, falling to 2-2 on the year, while Harper got the win for the Govs, improving to 4-1.
Game two showcased a contest that favored the Govs throughout as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of a two-out, two shot homer by Michael Blanchard.
Tech responded with single run innings in the third and fourth on RBI singles by Chad Oberacker and Devin Rivers to cut the lead to 3-2. But the Govs continued the attack with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. John Hogan notched a one out single to left center, and a walk to Matt Wollenzin moved Hogan into scoring position. Reed Harper struck again with an RBI single down the left field line to put the score at 4-2 in favor of APSU and leaving Wollenzin in scoring position for P.J. Torres.
The Golden Eagles matched the two-run frame in the top of the sixth, thanks to a one-on long ball by Frazier to cut the lead to its final 5-4 mark.
Frazier’s 2-for-3, two RBI effort paced Tech in game two, while Rivers contributed with a multi-hit effort of his own, matching Frazier’s 2-for-3 and notching one RBI in the nightcap.
Harper and Wollenzin led Austin Peay in the second game, with Harper’s 2-for-3 showing yielding one run, while Wollenzin’s 1-for-2 effort brought in three for the Govs.
Matt Shepherd, Tech’s starter in game two, shouldered the loss, giving up five runs in 4.1 innings of work, having struck out seven. Jack Snodgrass sealed the Saturday sweep for the Govs, improving to 2-5 with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched.
TTU will look to avoid the series sweep as they face off against the Govs in Sunday’s game three, with the first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
