GAME 3 BOX SCORE | PLAY-BY-PLAY

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team won a 15-12 slugfest over visiting Austin Peay Sunday afternoon. The two teams combined for six home runs including the game winner from sophomore Michael Garcia in the eighth inning.

With the win, the Colonels (17-14, 6-3 OVC) earned their second OVC series sweep of the year.

Austin Peay (17-15, 3-6) built an early 7-1 lead through the top of the fourth inning keyed by two-run singles from Jon Clinard in the second and Matt Kole in the fourth.

The Eastern Kentucky bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth as the Colonels piled up seven runs to take their first lead at 8-7. Senior Joey Stevens got the rally started with a bases loaded single to plate two runners. With two outs, junior Jayson Langfels produced another two-run single. Senior Anthony Ottrando followed with a sharp double down the left field line to score sophomore Jacob Daniel and Langfels.

The Governors responded with a four-spot in the sixth to regain the lead, 11-8. Chris Lewellyn led off the inning with his first homer of the season. Two batters later, Cody Hudson tripled to deep center to score the ninth APSU run. Jared Delong capped the frame with bases loaded RBI single.

Austin Peay held on to a 12-10 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth when the Colonels exploded for five more runs. Daniel quickly tied the contest with two-run blast to left field.

The Governors then brought in their closer Zach Gerler (2-2) to keep the game in hand, but Langfels promptly doubled and junior Ryan Faidley walked to bring up Garcia. The EKU right fielder came through with his sixth home run of the spring, a long ball to right center field.

Junior Ryne Purcell came on in the ninth and faced just three Austin Peay batters to earn his eighth save.

Ottrando paced the EKU offense Sunday by going 3-for-4 with a home run and double to finish with five RBIs. For Austin Peay, Kole recorded four RBIs including a solo homer in the eighth.

Sophomore Matt Harris (3-4) picked up the win by limiting Austin Peay to just one run in the seventh and eighth innings.

Eastern Kentucky returns to the road this week with games against West Virginia (April 13) and Marshall (April 14).