APSU Softball Drops Rubber Match 3-2 to Eastern Kentucky in Richmond

Governors fall in series finale at Gertrude Hood Field

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:52pm

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The Austin Peay State University (APSU) Governors softball team dropped the rubber match to the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 3-2, at Gertrude Hood Field. APSU led 2-0 midway through the game, but Eastern Kentucky scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to secure the win and the series.

Why it matters

This loss drops APSU's record to 0-3 in the series against Eastern Kentucky, a key Ohio Valley Conference rival. The Governors will look to bounce back in their next matchup against Tennessee Tech as they continue their conference schedule.

The details

APSU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, with Emilee Baker and Brie Howard reaching base to start the game and Sammie Shelander driving in the first run with an RBI single. Katie Raper then hit her 10th home run of the season in the third inning to extend the lead. However, Eastern Kentucky rallied in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring three runs on a sacrifice fly and a two-run double to take the lead and ultimately win the game.

  • Top 1st | Emilee Baker and Brie Howard led off the game with a single and hit by pitch, respectively, before a Sammie Shelander RBI single scored the first run of the game.
  • Top 3rd | Katie Raper tallied her 10th home run of the season with two outs in the top of the third to extend APSU's lead to 2-0.
  • Bottom 4th | The second and third batters of the frame for Eastern Kentucky reached on a single and double to put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly then cut the Austin Peay State Universitylead in half, but a pop up to Kiley Hinton at second base stranded one runner at third.
  • Bottom 5th | Eastern Kentucky tallied back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the fifth to put runners on the corners. A double to deep right center field then scored a pair of Colonels for the final score of the game.

The players

Emilee Baker

APSU softball player who led off the game with a single.

Brie Howard

APSU softball player who reached base via hit by pitch to start the game.

Sammie Shelander

APSU softball player who drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single.

Katie Raper

APSU softball player who hit her 10th home run of the season in the third inning to extend the Governors' lead.

Kiley Hinton

APSU softball player who recorded a pop out at second base to strand a runner in the fourth inning.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This loss drops APSU's record to 0-3 in the series against Eastern Kentucky, a key Ohio Valley Conference rival. The Governors will look to bounce back in their next matchup against Tennessee Tech as they continue their conference schedule.