STATE COLLEGE BASEBALL ROUNDUP

AUSTIN PEAY 10, ARKANSAS STATE 9

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Trailing 9-3 after five innings, Arkansas State rallied with six runs, including the game-tying run in the ninth to force extra innings, but Austin Peay (9-5) managed a run in the 11th to hand the Red Wolves a loss in the final game of the Riverview Inn Challenge Sunday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Arkansas State (8-8) scored once in the sixth and four times in the seventh to pull within 9-8. Center fielder Michael Faulkner led off the ninth for ASU with a single, moved to second on an errant pickoff attempt, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an infield single from first baseman Zach George to tie the game in the ninth.

Following a scoreless 10th inning, the Governors scored the winning run in the 11th when designated hitter Jon Clinard led off with a single, advanced to second on a single from center fielder Michael Blanchard and came home on a base hit from third baseman Greg Bachman.

Logan Uxa went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI and scored 2 runs to lead ASU. Faulkner was 3 for 6 with 3 runs scored.

Faulkner led off the game with a single, advanced to second on a balk, stole third and scored on a double from right fielder Collin Massanelli. A two-run opposite-field home run from Uxa later in the first inning pushed the Red Wolves’ lead to 3-0. Austin Peay responded in the bottom of the inning, getting a two-out, two-run double from second baseman Jordan Hankins to cut the ASU lead to 3-2.

Austin Peay tied the game in the fourth when shortstop Reed Harper walked and eventually scored on an ASU throwing error, and the Governors went on top 4-3 on an RBI double from catcher Matt Wollenzin. Austin Peay added five more runs, including home runs from right fielder Dylan Riner and third baseman Greg Bachman, to extend its lead to 9-3.

A solo home run to lead off the sixth from George cut the Governors’ lead to 9-4 and four runs in the seventh pulled the Red Wolves within 9-8. Massanelli hit an RBI single, which was followed by a two-out, two-run double from Uxa that cut the lead to 9-7. An RBI single from designated hitter Ryan Emery got ASU within 9-8. George then drove in Faulkner to tie the game in the ninth.

Morgan Croft (0-1) took the loss for ASU, giving up the game-winning run in the 11th inning.