Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Box Score (pdf)

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – David Alvarez hit a 2-run home run, Jacob Price allowed one run over seven innings and Gavin Faulkner retired three straight batters with the tying run on base in the ninth as Eastern Kentucky University clinched the Atlantic Sun Conference series with a 4-2 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday.
 
The Colonels got off to a strong start.  Pedro Moreno doubled to left to begin the game.  Dylan Littlefield followed with a double to right.  After Khaleel Pratt's sacrifice fly brought home the first run of the game, Alvarez hit a 2-run shot over the wall in right to stake the visitors to an early 3-0 advantage.
 
Ty Wisdom got the Governors on the board with a 1-out, solo home run in the second inning.
 
EKU (15-36, 7-19 ASUN) extended the margin back to three, 4-1, on an RBI single to center off the bat of Ricco Longo in the sixth inning.
 
APSU closed back to within two on a solo home run in the eighth from Paris Pridgen.  In the first two games of the series, Austin Peay has scored a total of four runs and all four were solo home runs.
 
The first two Governors to come to the plate walked in the bottom of the ninth.  Faulkner came on to pitch and got the first out on a sacrifice bunt that moved the runners into scoring position.  The senior lefty struck out the next two batters, including Pridgen to end the game.
 
Price allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out six.  Alvarez finished 3-for-5 with a run and two RBIs.  Jackson Cauthron was 3-for-5 as well.
 
Pridgen went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI for the Governors (23-27, 13-13 ASUN).
 
The teams will conclude the series on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.