The All State

By CIDINE SYDNEY-BREWINGTON

Staff Writer

Good things come to those who wait, work hard and want it really bad. After being ranked seventh in preseason predictions and two rough years riddled with injuries, good things came to the Bat Govs on Saturday, May 28. They upset Jacksonville State, 7-3 to become the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Champions.

This is the third time the Govs have won both the regular season and the tournament. They won in 1996 and 2007, and their fourth tournament win overall.

“I’m just really proud of these guys, it’s exciting for every guy on our team and the people at the school and the community and it’s great,” said head coach Gary McClure.

“This is definitely something that never gets old, I can tell you that. It never gets old winning these championships,” McClure said. “We’ve won regular seasons as well, but … the tournament ones are great because they send you where you really want to go, the NCAA Tournament.”

The Govs advanced to the NCAA Atlanta Regional and played against No. 1 seed Georgia Tech. The Bat Govs upset them with a 2-1 victory Friday, June 3.

Their next opponent was No. 3 seed Mississippi State. The Govs were defeated 2-8 Saturday, June 4.

In the elimination game Sunday, June 5, the Yellow Jackets ended the No. 4 seed Govs  (34-24) post-season run with a 12-2 win.

OVC Game 1:

APSU (2) vs. Tennessee Tech (1)

Although senior right hand pitcher Ryne Harper got his eighth save in the game, junior left hand pitcher Jeremy Dobbs made a crucial save in the top of the seventh inning.

With two runs, the Govs had to defend their lead. Tennessee Tech scored their first run with a player at third poised to tie the score. To try and force a run, TTU’s batter bunted. Dobbs quickly scooped up the ball and hurled it to freshman catcher Matt Wollenzin for the out at home.

“Dobbs was great. Dobbs was great,” McClure said repeatedly. “He was very competitive … and showed he was paying attention at the pitcher’s fielding practices.”

In addition to that cruical play, Dobbs was not only crucial in that play, he struck out five and allowed three hits in the eight innings he pitched.

The Govs scored their two runs of the game in the third and fourth innings during a two inning raining spell that began in the third.

“You’ve got to win that first one,” McClure said. “And when you got the target on your back, so to speak, like we do when you’ve won the league, sometimes that first one is the toughest one and I’m really glad to have it behind us and that our guys did a great job holding on and winning.”

OVC Game 2: APSU (4) vs. JSU (1)

In the Govs’ second game of tournament play, neither team relinquished their hold on the other. JSU scored the first run of the game on a Govs’ throwing error in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Govs immediately rectified their wrong in the seventh. Sophomore left fielder Cody Hudson hit a home run to even the score after two outs.

The eighth inning was uneventful with three straight outs for APSU: a fly to right field, an out at first from the pitcher to the third baseman and a strikeout. The Govs managed a rally in the ninth to seal the win.

Junior left fielder Jon Clinard pinch hit for Wollenzin and singled to right field. Next, Freshman second baseman Jordan Hankins reached first with a walk as Clinard advanced to second. After a line out to first base by junior Blake Frazier, Hudson reached first on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second, which brought in Clinard and Hankins.

The lineup started over with freshman right fielder Rolando Gautier. He was intentionally walked so JSU’s pitcher could pitch to a right handed batter.

Junior center fielder Michael Blanchard singled past the short stop, advancing Hudson to third. After redshirt junior third baseman Greg Bachman got out at first and another intentional walk of lefty sophomore first baseman John Hogan, Hudson scored the last run.

“Our guys just fought so hard and I’m really proud of them. That was just a survival of the fittest tonight. It really was. Both teams just really battled,” McClure said. “[And] obviously Jack pitched an unbelievable game. He pitched his heart out. What more can you ask?”

Redshirt senior and left handed pitcher Jack Snodgrass pitched his career best for 7.2 innings. He fanned 11, five in a row after he was hit in the arm by a line drive early in the third inning.

“That felt like a monstrous game. It felt like that was the championship for me. It was obviously the only game I was going to pitch, so I treated it like a championship game,” Snodgrass said. “It was just a lot of fun out there and I’m glad that I did everything I could to get us a win.”

OVC Game 3: Championship

APSU (7) vs. JSU (3)

In the second game of a doubleheader for JSU, and last game of the tournament, APSU pounded out a  7-3 win to take the championship.

After JSU scored two of their three runs in the top of the sixth inning, the Govs immediately answered back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to Hogan’s two-run homer. Hogan had a team high 13 home runs on the season.

The third game of the tournament started off on fire as Gautier tripled to center. Redshirt sophomore Zach Toney pitched 7.2 innings. He allowed nine hits and three walks and struck out six. “There was a lot on my shoulders, [but] I just knew that if I just [went] out and filled up the zone then we would put our team in a great chance of winning,” Toney said.

With the win, Toney improved his record to 6-2 and redshirt junior right hand pitcher Mike Hebert, who came in for Toney in the seventh with two outs, notched his second save.

NCAA Game 1: APSU (2) vs. Georgia Tech (1)

The No. 4-seed Govs shocked the No. 1 seed Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets with a 2-1 victory in the first game of the 2011 NCAA Atlanta Regional.

It was Hankins’ home run in the top of the seventh after two strikeouts that broke the three-inning tie of 1-1. The Govs got on the board first with a run in the fourth by Hogan who doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by freshman catcher Matt Wollenzin.

Snodgrass led the way after McClure made a last-minute decision to start Snodgrass instead of Dobbs.

“I coach with my gut, I coach with feeling. I think everyone does to a certain extent. I felt (Snodgrass) was our guy. He’s hot right now. If we are gonna win, this is the best way to win it,” McClure said.

Snodgrass allowed seven hits and struck out five, proving McClure made the right decision.

“All week I thought it was Dobbs. Coach Mac mentioned I might play, and I said, ‘Give me the ball; I’ll be ready to go.’” Snodgrass said.

McClure brought in redshirt junior right hand pitcher Mike Hebert in relief, who pitched two-thirds of the eighth and Toney, the team’s third starter, was brought in to close.

He closed the game with two strikeoutss and allowed no hits.

NCAA Game 2:

APSU (2) vs. Mississippi State (8)

The Bulldog’s pitcher, freshman right-hander Evan Mitchell, pitched eight innings, allowed six hits, three walks (before the ninth) and pitched eight strikeouts in 33 at bats.

The Govs had a rough fourth inning when the Bulldogs scored seven, which brought the score to 8-0. Dobbs’ pitched 4.2 innings but left when a blister on his finger popped.

NCAA Game 3: APSU (2) vs. Georgia Tech (12)

The Govs played a grueling nine innings in their second NCAA match up with the No. 1 seed Georgia Tech for elimination. The No. 4 seed Govs ended their season with a 12-2 loss.

“I tell these guys … you win by playing defense day in and day out,” McClure said. The defense of the Yellow Jackets proved his point because it was their defense that kept the Govs at two runs.

Toney (6-3) started and pitched 2.1 innings, with the Yellow Jackets scoring five runs. Harper came in and held them off with five strikes and one run. Harper was taken out in the seventh and Hebert came in for the remainder of the inning. Redshirt freshman left hand pitcher Alex Belew pitched the eighth and junior right hand pitcher Chuck Edlin handled the ninth.

To prepare for the Yellow Jacket defense, McClure made changes to the lineup. “We just needed faster, scrappier guys. I can’t say it helped us any,” McClure said.

Offensively the Govs made consistent contact with the ball. Of the 33 at bats, eight were strikeouts, but because of the Yellow Jackets’ defense, the rest were assisted and unassisted putouts.

The Govs did make a run in the eighth when redshirt senior Shayne Martin pinch hit for Clinard and made it to first on a walk. After a strike by Blanchard, Bachman doubled to right field and brought Martin in.

Hogan, next in the lineup, singled to right field and advanced to second on a passed ball advancing Bachman home.

Much like the previous game, the late rally was not enough to redeem the previous play. TAS

By ANTHONY SHINGLER | Senior Staff Writer

The Govs baseball team moved into a tie with Southeast Missouri at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference standings after winning 2-of-3 on the road against Jacksonville St., 9-5, 5-4 and 7-2.

Game 1, Govs win 9-5

APSU 100 051 101 – 9

JSU 110 010 101 – 5

Jacksonville St. (24-13 overall, 7-5 OVC) and the Govs (17-18 overall, 7-4 OVC) move into a tie at the top of the conference standings with Southeast Missouri with a 7-4 record.

In game one, the Govs (17-18, 7-4 OVC) came out the gates and took a 1-0 lead when sophomore first baseman John Hogan hit an RBI double into left center field.

However, the lead did not last. The Govs surrendered two runs to Jacksonville St. (24-13, 7-5 OVC) over the next three innings. The Govs jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the fifth.

Sophomore outfielder Cody Hudson started the inning off with a single.

Then, freshman second baseman Jordan Hankins cranked a 2 RBI triple down the right field line.

The Govs sealed the win behind a solid effort from junior left hander Jeremy Dobbs and the relief pitchers. Dobbs (7-1) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits.

He struck out three and walked only one batter. Hogan led the way from the plate going 2-of-5 with 3 RBIs. Hankins went 3-of-5, knocking in two runs.

Game 2, Govs lose 5-4

APSU 001 300 0 – 4

JSU 100 210 1 – 5

The Govs dropped the night cap 5-4.

Gov junior third baseman Greg Bachman tied the game, 1-1, in the top of the third when he hit an RBI single through the left side. The Govs pushed the lead to 4-1 after a big fourth inning that included Hudson hitting a two-run blast.

Jacksonville St. countered with two runs in the fourth and cut the Govs’ lead to 4-3.

The Govs offense stalled the rest of the game, but Jacksonville State added two more runs for the win.

Govs senior lefty Jack Snodgrass (1-5) pitched six innings and picked up the loss.

He allowed five runs on 12 hits, struck out nine and walked three.

Hudson led the Govs with a 1-for-2 effort from the plate including a two-run homerun in the fourth inning.

Game 3, Govs win 7-2

APSU 000 100 015 – 7

JSU 000 110 000 – 2

The final game of the series was a pitching duel.

The two teams produced only two runs each in the first eight innings.

Jacksonville St. added runs in the fourth and fifth innings for a 2-1 lead, but the Govs rallied in the ninth. They scored five runs to win the game and the series.

Hankins got things started with a single after the Govs’ first out.

Next, sophomore shortstop Reed Harper moved Hankins to third with a double.

The Gamecocks intentionally walked Hudson, and loaded the bases.

Junior outfielder Michael Blanchard hit a high grounder for an RBI and beat the throw to the first.

The throw got by the first baseman and another run scored.

Then, junior outfielder Jon Clinard and Bachman both followed up with RBI singles. The Govs final run came on a sac fly hit by Hogan.

Sophomore Zach Toney pitched 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits.

He also struck out four and walked two in the no decision.

Senior Ryne Harper (1-1) picked up the late win in relief with yet another strong outing. TAS

By AARON FORSGREN | Guest Writer

The Govs took on the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader Saturday, April 9.

They went into the games with an overall record of (13-14, 3-2 OVC) against Eastern Kentucky, who had a record of (9-20, 2-4 OVC).

The Govs split the double-header against the Colonels.

Game 1, Govs win 7-4

EKU 021 000 010 – 4

APSU 040 100 020 – 7

The Govs won the first game 7-4.

They gained the lead in the bottom of the second inning, scoring four runs on five hits.

Freshman catcher Matt Wollenzin singled to left center. It brought in sophomore short-stop Reed Harper and junior outfielder Tyler Childress. Sophomore outfielder Cody Hudson hit a triple down the right field line that brought the Govs to a 4-2 lead.

Key players of the first game were Wollenzin and Hudson, as well as junior left-hand pitcher Jeremy Dobbs.

He (6-1) struck out seven and only allowed three runs, with two earned, on six hits in six innings of work.

Game 2, Govs lose 8-4

EKU 220 211 0 – 8

APSU 220 000 1 – 5

The Govs dropped the second game 8-5.

They kept pace with the Colonels for three innings, but the Colonels scored two in the fourth and shut down the Govs offense the rest of the game.

Redshirt senior, left-hand pitcher Jack Snodgrass was tagged with the loss.

In four innings on the mound, he allowed seven runs, with four earned, on nine hits.

He also struck out five and walked two.

Tied at four in the top of the fourth, Snodgrass had already retired two when he walked Colonels’ shortstop Richie Rodriguez.

Then, designated hitter A.J. Jamison found the gap on the left side and moved Rodriguez into scoring position.

Dobbs’ trouble continued when Colonels outfielder Jacob Daniel picked up the RBI with a shot to left center.

The next run came when third baseman Bryan Soloman hit a single that scored Jamison.

The Govs tried to rally a comeback but failed.

They didn’t score another run until the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Childress smacked a double into left field.

He then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Childress scored on a throwing error. However, the Govs’ rally hopes died when shortstop Reed Harper grounded out for the final out.
After the doubleheader, the Govs improved to 14-15, 4-3 OVC.

They will finish April with three conference series on the road starting with a three-game series against Jacksonville St. on Saturday, April 16. TAS

By ANTHONY SHINGLER | Senior Staff Writer

The Govs had lost nine of their last 12 games and were averaging three runs a game coming into this weekend. The Govs’ bats heated up this weekend.

In a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers, they produced 25 runs on 41 hits to win the series 2-1.

They dropped the first contest despite posting nine runs, 11-9.

However, they won the last two games 8-0, 8-7. The Govs improve to 12-13 overall, 3-2 in the OVC.

Game 1, Govs lose 11-9

APSU 013 003 101 – 11

EIU 162 010 010 – 9

In game one, the Panthers’ offense came out with bats swinging. They scored seven runs in the first two innings to just one Govs’ run.

EIU added two more runs in the top of the third inning to take a 9-1 lead.

The Govs cut the EIU lead to 9-4 by scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Greg Bachman started the rally with a double to right center field. John Hogan singled to third base and brought home Bachman.

Then he advanced to second on a throwing error. Childress doubled to left center, scoring Hogan.

Reed Harper cranked an RBI single to center field that pushed the Govs to 9-4.

After the Panthers added another run in the fifth, the Govs bats came alive again in the sixth.

They added three runs to cut the EIU lead to 10-7. Torres started the inning off with a solo homerun.

Next, Michael Blanchard singled to the pitcher to get on base. Haskell Fink hit a single that moved Blanchard to third base.

Fink advanced to third and Blanchard scored when Jordan Hankins grounded out. Greg Bachman doubled to right center field and brought home Fink.

The Govs’ last run came in the seventh when Rolando Gautier singled to left center field to bring home Childress.

Jeremy Dobbs (5-1) was tagged with his first loss of the season.

He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 10 runs on 14 hits, walked three and struck out three.

Game 2, Govs win 8-0

APSU 112 103 x – 8

EIU 000 000 0 – 0

The Govs’ offensive outpour continued in game two. They produced an 8-0 shutout.

Blanchard started the game off with a double into left field.

He then stole third base to get in scoring position. Bachman reached on a throwing error which brought home Blanchard for the RBI and the 1-0 Gov lead.

The Govs added another run in the second when Blanchard smacked another double into right field to bring home Harper.

After scoring two runs in the third, the Govs added three runs in the sixth to put the game away.

Cody Hudson pinch-ran for Wollenzin, who was walked.

Hankins hit a single into right field that brought home Hudson.

Gautier hit an RBI single up the middle that brought home the second run.

Clinard hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Bachman for the final run of the game.

Jack Snodgrass (1-3) pitched six scoreless innings. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out three.

Game 3, Govs win 8-7

APSU 203 111 00x – 8

EIU 000 300 112 – 7

In the series finale, the Govs started the game off quickly with a two run first inning.

Childress hit a two-run single that brought home Gautier and Hudson.

The Govs added three more runs in the third inning thanks to a three-run home run from Childress.

EIU cut the Govs’ lead to 5-3 after producing three runs in the top of the fourth.

Harper responded for the Govs by opening the inning with a double.

Blanchard hit an RBI single into center field that brought home Harper and pushed the Govs’ lead to 6-3.

The Govs tacked on another run in the fifth and sixth inning.

EIU added one run in the seventh and eighth inning to cut the Govs’ lead to 8-5.

Two errors in the ninth inning got EIU within one, 8-7. But, Harper got EIU’s Zach Borenstein to pop out to end the game.

Govs pitcher Chuck Edlin (1-0) picked up the win relief pitching two and two-third innings.

He allowed two hits, no runs, one walk and struck out two. Childress led the way for the Govs offensively. He went 3-for-4 from the plate with five RBIs. Blanchard went 3-for-4 with one RBI. TAS

By ANTHONY SHINGLER | Senior Staff Writer

The 2010-11 Govs baseball team roster has 12 freshmen on it.

Among those, one freshman has gotten a great start to the season and is making his mark on the team.

Outfielder Rolando Gautier is creating a buzz.

Gautier is currently third on the team in hitting with a .352 batting average.

He has 31 hits with one home run, 14 RBIs and 12 walks.

He is also second on the team in slugging percentage at .511.

“Ro has been really good and really consistent all year,” said head coach Gary McClure.

“He is not playing like a freshman, the thing he is doing to make him good offensively is not swinging at bad pitches.”

Gautier opened his collegiate career with an 18-game hitting streak. It ended Sunday, March 27, against Murray State.

“I was just doing what they teach us: get the foot down, see it up; and I was just hitting balls that were falling in for me,” Gautier said.

“I felt great at that point and I still feel pretty good.”

Even though Gautier’s hitting streak has ended, he has reached base in 24 consecutive games.

That streak was extended after the Govs picked up the series win over EIU.

“He is making people throw strikes and drawing a lot of walks with it,” McClure said.

“I am really proud of what he is doing. He is a kid who I thought was really going to play right away when we got him. So far he has proven me right.”

On Saturday, Feb. 19, Gautier got his first start.

He had a breakout performance at the plate in his first game.

He went 5-of-6 with two doubles. It was the first five hits of his 18-game hitting streak.

Gautier has started in 23 of the Govs’ 25 games played so far this season. TAS

By ANTHONY SHINGLER | Senior Staff Writer

The Govs baseball team opened the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference season with a doubleheader Sunday, March 27, at Murray State.

The Govs opened both games strong, offensively jumping out to early leads. However, they were only able to hold the Thoroughbreds and finish 5-2.

After establishing a 1-0 lead in the second game, the Govs allowed the Racers to plate three runs in the third and failed to rally back. They dropped the nightcap 3-2.

Game One, Govs win 5-2

APSU 002 300 0-5

Murray St 002 000 0-2

Govs junior designated hitter Tyler Childress led the inning off with a double.

Freshman catcher Matt Wollenzin singled up the middle and brought home Childress for the 1-0 lead.

Junior left fielder Jon Clinard’s RBI single up the middle with one out brought home Wollenzin for the 2-0 advantage.

Murray State tied the score 2-2 in the third.

The Govs responded by adding three more runs to take a 5-2 lead. Freshman right fielder Rolando Gautier reached first base after a fielding error and proceeded to steal second base.

Junior third baseman Greg Bachman hit an RBI single into right center that brought home Gautier. Then Childress blasted a two-run shot over the left-field fence. Solid pitching by the Govs kept the Thoroughbreds from scoring again. Junior left-handed starter Jeremy Dobbs (5-0) pitched 5.1 innings.

He struck out three, walked one and allowed two runs on seven hits. Senior pitcher Ryne Harper earned his second save of the season.
Gautier’s hit streak ended at 18 games. He went 0-for-3, drew one walk and reached on a fielder’s error.

Childress led the Govs with 2-for-3 efforts from the plate, including a two-run homer in the fourth.

Game Two, Govs lose 3-2

APSU 010 010 0–2

Murray St. 003 000 x-3

The Govs struck first in the second inning when junior centerfielder Michael Blanchard’s RBI sacrifice fly brought home Gautier. Gautier started the inning off with a single.

Then Childress singled, allowing Gautier to advance to second base.

In the third inning, the Thoroughbreds lit up Govs’ senior lefty Jack Snodgrass (0-3).

He allowed three runs on five hits in the inning and the Thoroughbreds took a 3-1 lead.

The Govs added one more run in the fifth inning when sophomore first baseman John Hogan’s sacrifice fly brought home sophomore shortstop Reed Harper.

Harper started the inning off with a double into left center.

Snodgrass pitched 3.2 innings and struck out two while giving up three runs on eight hits.
Chuck Edlin pitched in relief for 2.1 innings.

He struck out one and did not give up any runs or hits. Jon Clinard led the Govs offensively, going 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Govs return to action for a six-game home stand starting with Middle Tennessee State University on Monday, March 28. TAS