Austin Peay State University’s baseball team lost a close game to North Alabama on April 11, falling 13-12 at Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville, Tennessee. Despite a late rally that saw the Governors score five runs in the ninth inning, they were unable to overcome the Lions’ lead.
The matchup began with Austin Peay taking an early advantage after redshirt junior Ray Velazquez hit his tenth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left field fence. North Alabama responded with three solo home runs and an RBI single from Bryant Loving across the second and third innings, pulling ahead of the Governors.
Redshirt sophomore Cole Johnson brought Austin Peay closer with an RBI single, but Wes Walker’s two-run homer for North Alabama extended their lead again in the fifth inning. The Governors tied it up later that inning when junior Kyler Proctor hit his first home run of the season for three runs.
North Alabama then scored seven more times over three innings, making it 13-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Governors mounted a comeback with freshman Houston Hebert hitting his second home run of the year for three runs and graduate Andres Matias adding a double that drove in two more runners. However, North Alabama’s Luke Davenport allowed only one hit while securing his first save of the season.
Five Austin Peay players had multiple hits during the game and four drove in several runs each. The Governors outhit North Alabama 17-16 and were effective under pressure, going 11-for-20 at bat with two outs.
The series between Austin Peay and North Alabama concludes Sunday afternoon at Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.
