Redbirds commit 6 errors, fall 9-6 at Austin Peay

[February 25, 2013]  CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Illinois State committed six errors, including five in an eight-run Austin Peay fifth inning, as the Redbirds (2-3, 0-0 MVC) fell 9-6 to the Governors (5-1, 0-0 OVC) on Saturday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville, Tenn.

Casey Delgado (1-1) worked five innings and earned the win for Austin Peay. He allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits and struck out four. Dylan Craig (0-1) was handed the loss for Illinois State, going 4 2/3 innings with six runs, all earned, on five hits. Craig struck out six and walked three and could not escape the eight-run fifth inning. Tyler Rogers (3) earned the save.

Three Redbirds had multi-hit games, with Chad Hinshaw going 3 for 4 with one home run and four runs scored. Brett Kay and Eric Aguilera each drove in two runs, and both teams finished with 10 hits. Austin Peay's Cody Hudson was 3 for 4, and Jordan Hankins and Kyle Schlatter each had two RBIs.

The Redbirds rallied for four runs over the first five innings of the game. Aguilera's RBI groundout plated Hinshaw in the first. Hinshaw opened the third inning with a solo home run to left-center, making it 2-0 Illinois State. Kyle Stanton's RBI double increased the Redbird lead to 3-0 in the third inning, before Aguilera drove home Hinshaw with an RBI single in the fifth.

Austin Peay sent 14 batters to the plate in an eight-run fifth inning, fueled by five Illinois State errors. In the inning, Austin Peay had RBI knocks from Brett Carlson, Reed Harper, PJ Torres, Schlatter and a two-run double from Hankins that chased Craig from the game. Redbirds Craig, Kay, Hinshaw, Zac Johnson and Brock Stewart all committed errors. J.D. Learnard replaced Craig and did not retire any of the five batters he faced, allowing two unearned runs and two hits. Will Headean recorded the final out of the inning and pitched a career-high 3 1/3 innings, with two strikeouts and one earned run on the day.

Kay's two-run double in the eighth inning made it 9-6 Austin Peay. Rogers put the tying run at the plate but retired Stewart to end the game and preserve the series-clinching win for the Governors.

The series was scheduled to conclude Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch in Clarksville. Dan Savas (0-0, 1.59 ERA) would counter A.J. Gaura (1-0, 1.42 ERA), with Illinois State looking to snap a three-game losing streak. (See report.)

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]