Senior Blaine Tanner delivered the game-tying hit, and fellow senior Clayton Meyer drilled the game-winning single in the eighth inning as the Morehead State baseball team erased a 4-0 deficit to defeat Austin Peay 5-4 and claim an Ohio Valley Conference series at Raymond C. Hand Park Sunday.
Morehead State, which has now won four consecutive league series, improved to 27-17 overall and 13-8 in the OVC. MSU is approaching the school record for wins at 31, established by the 1993 team. The Eagles, who claimed a 10-5 decision Saturday, also won the APSU series for the second straight season.
The Govs fell to 22-19 and 13-11 in the conference.
"We had a tough day at the plate, and a lot of that was their starting pitcher," Head Coach Mike McGuire said. "He had a great day, and we didn't adjust until late in the game. But, we battled and had quality at-bats in the eighth inning. That is the mark of our club. We have confidence in every player, and today we had a couple of guys who haven't had quite as many chances come through. We also got excellent pitching. I am proud of our team for winning this series at a very tough place to play."
Governor starter Jared Carkhuff had held the Eagles scoreless through seven frames, but freshman first baseman Braxton coaxed a leadoff walk in the eighth, and sophomore centerfielder Ryan Kent doubled to right field on a 3-2 pitch. Reliever Michael Costonzo entered the game, and senior first baseman Kane Sweeney greeted him with a towering three- home run over the 392-foot sign in center field.
With two outs and runners on the corners, Tanner looped a single that nicked off shortstop Garrett Copeland's outstretched glove as he dove in short left field. That play, off APSU closer AJ Gaura, scored senior right-fielder Brandon Rawe to make it 4-4. Meyer then ripped a two-strike, ground-ball single that ricocheted off second baseman Imani Willis' glove in shallow right field to score senior leftfielder Nick Newell.
Freshman right-hander Brent Stoneking shut down the hosts 1-2-3 in the eighth and nailed down the final three outs for his third career save.
Freshman righty David Calderon moved to 3-1 with the victory. He produced his longest outing of the year (seven innings) and allowed all four runs on just five hits.
Gaura was nailed with his first loss of the season, surrendering two runs in an inning of work.
Sweeney and senior catcher Chris Robinson each tallied two hits, while six APSU batters had a hit apiece. Kent (23 games) and Sweeney (21) extended their reached-base streaks.
Following five straight on the road, Morehead State returns home this week to host Northern Kentucky Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. The Eagles are then set to host Eastern Illinois next weekend for a three-game league series.
