Govs Spoil Comeback Effort With Walk-off Home Run

Saturday, April 14

Clarksville, Tenn.

2 p.m.

Murray State

18-18, 4-7

Austin Peay

21-13, 8-2

Murray State

Austin Peay

Photo by: Samantha Mohr

4/14/2012 5:42:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

BOX SCORE

Murray State erased a six-run deficit to tie the score in the eighth inning, but it was Austin Peay that had the final say as Tyler Childress delivered a walk-off home run to lead off the ninth inning in the 9-8 victory Saturday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.

The Govs (21-13, 8-2 OVC) got on the board quickly as Michael Blanchard hit a wind-aided solo shot to center field to leadoff the top of the first.

APSU added to its lead in the second as back-to-back singles to start the inning set up Childress for an RBI single through the left side. After a steal of third, Matt Wollenzin drove in a run with a groundout to second base.

The Breds (18-18, 4-7 OVC) got one run back in the third inning as Rick Linton drew a leadoff walk and was followed by a Paul Ritzheimer single to center. After a sacrifice bunt from Ty Stetson, Travis Isaak delivered an RBI single to left center.

The Govs extended their lead in the third as Jon Clinard took his turn with the wind as he was aided on a home run to right center. After a walk, Greg Bachman used the wind to triple off the wall in center field.

APSU added to its lead in the fifth as an infield single was followed two batters later with a Cody Hudson home run to center field.

The Breds got to the Govs bullpen in the sixth inning to push across five runs. Brandon Elliott started the rally by being hit by a pitch with one out. Luke Daugherty followed with a double down the right-field line. Dylan Wheeler drove in a run with a groundout to second base. Brandon Eggenschwiler came of the bench to deliver a pinch-hit RBI single up the middle. Ty Stetson followed with an RBI single to first base, and when the throw to first was wild, the second run scored on the play. Isaak followed by plating the fifth run on an RBI triple to right center.

The Govs pushed the lead to 8-6 in the home-half of the inning on a Jordan Hankins solo home run to right field.

MSU pushed across another run in the seventh as Mike Kozlowski drew a leadoff walk. Elliott followed with a sacrifice bunt that was thrown away, putting runners on second and third. With one out, Wheeler delivered a sacrifice fly to right field. A pair of walks loaded the bases, but a groundout to second ended the inning.

The Breds finally tied the game in the eighth as Kozlowski sparked a two-out rally with a double off the top of the wall in center field. After an intentional walk to Colton Speed, Luke Daugherty delivered an RBI single up the middle on the first pitch he saw.

Will Handlin (3-2) took the loss after allowing one run on one hit in his one inning of work. He came on in the eighth and got out of a two on, nobody out situation to send the game to the ninth still tied. Tyler Rogers (2-0) picked up the victory after throwing 1.1 shutout innings, allowing one hit and walking one.

Ritzheimer led the offense by going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Isaak and Daugherty each collected two hits, while Isaak and Wheeler each drove in two runs.

The two teams close out the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.