Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University took a 5-4 lead in the third, but Austin Peay answered quickly in the bottom of the inning and went on to win 19-6 on Friday in the Atlantic Sun Conference series opener.
 
With the Colonels trailing 4-1, Ron Franklin Jr. stepped to the plate with two runners on and promptly deposited a 3-0 pitch over the wall in left center to tie it up.  DJ Sullivan followed with a double to right center and advanced to third on a wild pitch.  Freshman catcher Silas Shaffer put EKU ahead 5-4 with a single to right.
 
The Governors quickly responded in the bottom half of the third, scoring seven runs to seize control of the game.  Jon Jon Gazdar started the inning with a game-tying home run.  John Bay hit a solo shot to give APSU the lead.  Four straight hits brought home three more runs.  Gazdar capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly in his second at bat of the inning, giving the home team an 11-5 advantage.
 
Six more runs scored in the fourth for Austin Peay, including one on a wild pitch and two on bases loaded walks.  The game ended in the seventh by run rule.
 
The first four hitters in the lineup for EKU had two hits each – Justin Carinci, Miguel Larreal, Conner Davis and Tait Nunnally.  Franklin finished 1-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.  Shaffer was 1-for-3 with two runs knocked in.
 
APSU's Clayton Gray finished 2-for-4 with two runs and five RBIs.  Lyle Miller-Green scored three runs and had an RBI while going 1-for-3.  Brody Szako drove in four and scored once after a 2-for-4 day.
 
Saturday's game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN+.