Austin Peay Downs Eastern Illinois

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois took a lead in the bottom of the first before Austin Peay was able to chase the Panthers starting pitcher in the second inning during a 12-3 win on Monday afternoon.   EIU returns to action on Wednesday afternoon with a 2 p.m. game at Saint Louis.
 
EIU fell to 0-9 overall, 0-3 in the OVC as the Panthers had to move their OVC opening weekend series to Clarksville.  Austin Peay improved to 8-4 overall, 3-0 in the OVC.
 
Austin Peay took the lead in the top of the first with Patrick Massoni scoring as a runner was thrown out at second trying to steal.  The Panthers scored two runs against APSU starter Jared Carkuff in the bottom of the first.  Caleb Howell led off the inning with a walk and Dane Sauer reached on a hit by pitch.  Jason Scholl delivered the big hit with a double to right center giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
 
Carkuff (2-2) would settle down working six innings allowing three hits and two runs while striking out ten.  Three APSU relief pitchers would close out the game with EIU scoring in the seventh with an RBI single by Sauer.
 
EIU starter Andy Fisher (0-2) struggled with his control to open the second inning and was relieved by Ben Hughes.  After a combination of three walks and a wild pitch, Clayton Smithson had a two run single to put the Governors back on top.  Caleb Mitchell added two runs in the third inning with a two-run double as EIU used six pitchers during the game.