Austin Peay State University’s baseball team lost to Eastern Kentucky 5-2 in the opening game of their Atlantic Sun Conference series on May 8 at Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville, Tennessee.
The outcome affects the Governors’ position in the conference as they continue their weekend matchup against Eastern Kentucky. The result highlights both teams’ efforts as they compete for standings within the Atlantic Sun Conference.
The Governors started strong when junior Kyler Proctor hit a solo home run to lead off the game, marking his first time batting leadoff since March and becoming the first Governor to open a game with a home run since April. Eastern Kentucky responded in the third inning with Dylan Littlefield’s two-run homer, taking a one-run lead. In the fourth inning, redshirt junior Ray Velazquez tied it up for Austin Peay with his 14th home run of the season.
Eastern Kentucky regained control in their half of the fifth by advancing their leadoff batter to third base and scoring on Pedro Moreno’s play, followed by two more runs resulting from errors and hits. The Colonels held onto this advantage through solid pitching from Griffin Howell and secured victory when Gavin Faulkner came out of the bullpen to record his first save after stopping a late rally attempt by Austin Peay.
Looking ahead, Austin Peay will face Eastern Kentucky again for game two of their weekend series at 4 p.m., Saturday at Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.
