Hawkeyes Fall to Austin Peay in Season Opener

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Feb. 15, 2013

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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Austin Peay used back-to-back two run innings to defeat the University of Iowa baseball team, 4-2, in the Hawkeyes’ season opener Friday at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville, Tenn.

“I felt like we did some good things today,” said UI head coach Jack Dahm. “Our pitching did a good job for the first time out on real dirt and some guys had some competitive at bats. While we didn’t win today, we did some good things and look to be competitive tomorrow.”

Iowa struck first, scoring a run in the second inning. Senior Dan Sheppard opened the inning by getting hit by a pitch. He was then advanced to second base after Taylor Kaufman grounded out. Sheppard was later driven in by sophomore Nick Day, who hit a two-out single up the middle for his first RBI of the season.

Austin Peay responded by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the second inning. The Governors used a pair of triples to score their first run, as Cody Hudson and P.J. Torres delivered three-baggers. After driving home Hudson, Torres scored via a Dylan Riner single, making the score 2-1.

Austin Peay increased the lead to 4-1 after adding two more runs in the third inning. Both runs were unearned, as Rolando Gautier and Jordan Hankins crossed the plate after a fielding error.

The Hawkeyes tried to mount a rally in the eighth inning, but were only able to push across a single run. Sophomore Kris Goodman opened the frame by singling to center field. After a ground out that advanced Goodman to second base and a fly out, sophomore Jake Yacinich singled up the middle to bring Iowa within two runs, 4-2. That’s all the Hawkeyes would get, as Austin Peay pitcher Kacy Kemmer delivered a groundball out to end the inning.

Kemmer relieved the Governors’ starting pitcher, Lee Ridenhour. Ridenhour pitched the first seven innings, striking out seven and allowing one earned run. Tyler Rogers pitched the ninth for Austin Peay, collecting the save.

Sophomore Sasha Kuebel suffered the loss for Iowa. The St. Louis native allowed two earned runs in five innings of work. Seniors Ricky Sandquist and Andrew Hanse relieved Kuebel. Sandquist pitched two innings, while Hanse threw one. Both pitchers did not allow an earned run.

The Hawkeyes and Governors play the second game of a three-game series tomorrow at Raymond C. Hand Park, beginning at 1 p.m. (CT). Senior Matt Dermody will start on the mound for Iowa.