Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Julius Scearce had two hits and Tait Nunnally drove in two runs, but Eastern Kentucky University dropped its Atlantic Sun Conference series opener to Austin Peay, 7-5, on Thursday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
Austin Peay scored five times in the top of the second inning to grab an early lead.  Cameron Nickens capped the big frame with a 2-run double to right field.
 
EKU (7-31, 4-12 ASUN) scratched the scoring column in the bottom of the third.  With Mauri Bejarano on first, Scearce brought him home with a double to left center, closing the gap to 5-1.
 
The Governors (28-10, 13-3 ASUN) loaded the bases in the fourth and the fifth, but came away with just two runs.
 
The Colonels closed the gap with three runs in the bottom of the fifth.  With one out and the bases loaded, Nunnally singled down the right field line to score two.  Silas Shaffer followed with a sacrifice fly to right center to make it a 3-run game, 7-4.
 
Scearce went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.  Nunnally was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.  Bejarano had a triple, walked twice and scored three times.  Cade Schneider and Josiah Erd combined for 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.  The duo allowed just three hits and struck out three.
 
Nickens had a 2-for-3 game for the Govs with two doubles, two walks and three RBIs.  Trevor Conley was 2-for-2 with two walks, two runs and an RBI.  Solomon Washington provided APSU with three innings of scoreless relief.  He gave up two hits, did not walk anyone and struck out two.
 
Friday's game, presented by Chick-Fil-A Richmond Centre, will start at 6 p.m. ET.  Friday will be Legends Night as Lexington Legends mascot Mighty Lex will be at the stadium.  Baseball Bingo returns with the first three winners winning a signed mini-bat.  The second trading card giveaway will also be on Friday.