March 8, 2013

Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Senior Will Fadness and freshman Nick Unes each hit home runs but Austin Peay State University scored a run in the ninth inning to tie the game and the winner in the 10th on a bunt to claim a 4-3 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team Friday afternoon at the APSU Riverview Inn Classic.

The Panthers (3-8) got a very solid start from senior Jake Long, who gave up six hits in 7-plus innings in allowing a pair of runs, striking out two. However, the Governors (11-2) pulled out their third-straight come-from-behind victory to give them their best 13-game start in program history.

"I am very happy with the way we played today," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "We got a great start from Jake Long, made some extra-effort plays on defense and had quality at bats at the plate all day long. It was tough - we gave up a leadoff infield single in the ninth and a leadoff infield single in the 10th and both find a way to come in and score. It was really just some tough luck. That is a very good team right there and I loved the way we played - really proud of them."

Unes (2-for-3, walk), sophomore Michael Porcaro (2-for-4) and sophomore Derek Peake (2-for-5) each had a pair of hits as part of a 10-hit outing for the Panthers.

Down, 2-1, in the top of the fifth, Unes blasted a home run to right field for his first collegiate long ball to make it 2-2. An inning later, Fadness connected for his third home run of the season to lead off the frame and make it 3-2.

It stayed that way until the ninth. The APSU leadoff batter legged out a single to shortstop, took second on a sac bunt and scored on a base hit to send it to extras.

The Panthers threatened in the 10th, putting two runners on via a single by Peake and a walk to senior Jonathan Capasso, but the Governors induced a double-play to end it.

Another infield single started the winning rally and a one-out hit put runners on first and third. Cody Hudson came through with the winner, executing a perfect suicide squeeze bunt that helped the Govs escape with the win.

Day two of the weekend event sees the Panthers take on UALR, starting at noon.