Austin Peay Baseball Hosts Eastern Michigan for Home Opener

Governors look to extend home win streak in three-game weekend series

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team is set to host Eastern Michigan University for a three-game home opening series at Raymond C. Hand Park in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Governors, who had their most successful home season in program history in 2025, will look to extend their home opener win streak to two games after defeating Purdue Fort Wayne 8-3 on February 22nd. APSU enters the weekend 2-2 after splitting a four-game series at UNLV, while Eastern Michigan comes in at 1-4 after a five-game road trip to start the season.

Why it matters

This series marks the first time APSU has faced a Mid-American Conference opponent since 2022, when they were swept in a three-game series at Toledo. The Governors are looking to build on their strong home performance from last season and get off to a hot start at home in 2026.

The details

The Governors will send Cody Airington, Kaleb Applebey, and Kade Shatwell to the mound as their projected starters for the weekend. Redshirt junior Paris Pridgen has led the APSU offense so far this season, batting .364 with a double, six walks, five runs, four RBIs, and three stolen bases. Eastern Michigan is making its first visit to Clarksville since 2020, when the Governors took two of three games from the Eagles.

  • The series begins on Friday, February 20th at 2:00pm CT.
  • APSU won their home opener against Purdue Fort Wayne on February 22nd, 2026.

The players

Austin Peay State University (APSU) Baseball

The baseball team at Austin Peay State University, located in Clarksville, Tennessee. They play their home games at Raymond C. Hand Park, formerly known as Governors Park.

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Baseball

The baseball team at Eastern Michigan University, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. They are members of the Mid-American Conference.

Paris Pridgen

A redshirt junior on the APSU baseball team who has led the Governors' offense so far this season, batting .364 with a double, six walks, five runs, four RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Cody Airington

The projected Game One starter for APSU this weekend, looking to bounce back after a short outing in his season debut.

Kaleb Applebey

One of the projected starting pitchers for APSU this weekend, who had a solid outing in his first appearance of the season and currently leads the team in ERA at 2.25.

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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 (San Francisco Chronicle)

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

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This series marks an important home opener for the APSU baseball team as they look to build on their strong home performance from last season and get off to a hot start in 2026. The Governors will be tested by an Eastern Michigan team that has already faced some tough competition to begin the year.