CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – After falling behind 7-1 in the third inning, the Northern Illinois baseball team mounted a late rally to pull within three runs, but could not overcome the early deficit as the Huskies dropped a 7-4 decision to Austin Peay State on Friday evening at Raymond C. Hand Park in game one of a three-game series.
"We had some guys on base with chances to do some damage but didn't take advantage of those chances," NIU coach Ed Mathey said. "As well as our infield played at Arizona State, it was not the case today with four errors. You can't do that against any team, but I really liked the way our guys battled back."
NIU (0-4) actually opened the game with a 1-0 lead after a one-out first inning RBI single from senior first baseman Dave Reynolds, but the Governors (3-2) responded with a four-run bottom half. APSU loaded the bases with one out against NIU senior lefty starter Chuck Lukanen on a pair of walks and a bunt single. Lukanen then hit catcher Trey Lucas with an errant pitch to force in a run and designated hitter Matt Kole followed by reaching on a Reynolds error to score the second and third runs of the frame before left fielder Cody Hudson's RBI fielder's choice scored the final tally of the inning.
The Governors would add two more runs in the second by taking advantage of two Huskie errors. Center fielder Michael Blanchard reached on a one-out error by sophomore shortstop Alex Jones and second baseman Jon Clinard singled on the next play to set up right fielder Adam Browett, who reached on a Reynolds two-run error to give APSU a 6-1 advantage.
Austin Peay then increased its lead to 7-1 in the third on an RBI groundout by third baseman Reed Harper before Lukanen settled down by holding the Govs scoreless over the next three frames.
The Huskies had opportunities with the first two batters reaching base in the second and having two in scoring position with one out in the fourth, but could not capitalize on either chance before the late rally.
After sophomores Kyle Glancy and Tom Barry held APSU scoreless with an inning of work each in the seventh and eighth, respectively, the Huskies took advantage of the Govs bullpen. NIU scored a run in the eighth off of reliever Kole after third baseman Troy White reached on a fielder's choice that scored senior center fielder Jordin Hood after an error by Clinard. After junior designated hitter Joe Etcheverry walked, junior pinch-hitter Cory Krupp followed with a single to load the bases with one out, but NIU could not capitalize.
"We gave up some runs early, but our kids did a good job of holding them for the rest of the game," said Mathey. "Glancy did a nice job in his first outing and Tom did a nice job of bouncing back. Both pitched ahead in the count, and that makes a difference. Hopefully we'll see the lesson in that and continue to do that."
With one out in the ninth, the Huskies received two runs courtesy of Hood's first home run of the season to pull within three runs. NIU would then load the bases with two outs for Krupp, but he grounded out to first base to end the game.
"Jordin swung the bat really well tonight," Mathey said. "He hit an opposite field homer and stayed on that pitch very well.
"At that point in time [with the bases loaded in the ninth], we were sitting with our six and seven hitters coming up with one out. Joe hit one well down the first base line, but unfortunately their defense was in a no doubles position to get that. Krupp then got down in the count and was just trying to make contact, but ended the game on a slow grounder. When you're trailing by six with two innings to go and get the tying run to the plate, you take that every time."
Govs starter Ricky Marshall (2-0) earned the win after throwing seven innings allowing an unearned run on four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts, while Lukanen (0-2) took the loss after surrendering three earned runs, four unearned, on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts in six innings.
Clinard led APSU with three hits in five at-bats with a run scored, while Browett and Kole had two RBI apiece.
