Austin Peay State University’s baseball team lost to Utah Tech 7-6 in extra innings on Saturday at Bruce Hurst Field in St. George, Utah. The result means both teams split their four-game series.
The Governors took an early lead when Andres Matias scored on a sacrifice fly by Cole Johnson in the second inning. Utah Tech tied the game in the fourth after Finnegan Stewart doubled and later scored on Gavin Long’s single.
In the fifth, Paris Pridgen hit his first career home run for Austin Peay, giving them a 3-1 advantage. Ty Wisdom added another run in the sixth after scoring on a sacrifice fly from Kyler Proctor, pushing the lead to 4-1.
Utah Tech responded with Cooper Smith hitting his first career home run in the bottom of the sixth, cutting their deficit to 4-2. In the seventh inning, Austin Peay extended its lead to 6-2 with runs from Wisdom and Matias.
Ryker Walton came in as relief pitcher for Austin Peay during the seventh but allowed Petey Soto Jr. to drive in Hudson Manwaring, making it 6-3.
Utah Tech rallied in the ninth inning as Gavin Long singled and eventually scored following fielding errors and hits by teammates. A sacrifice fly tied the game at six runs each.
In extra innings, Utah Tech loaded runners before Andrew Pyle singled through the right side. Gavin Grutzmacher beat a throw home after diving by Kyler Proctor at second base, resulting in a walk-off win for Utah Tech.
Ryan Kroepel earned his first win of the season for Utah Tech after pitching a scoreless top of the tenth inning against six batters. Jackson Hohensee was charged with his first loss of the season for Austin Peay after allowing one run over 1.1 innings pitched.
Austin Peay will return home for a midweek game against Ohio on Tuesday at Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville, Tennessee.
