Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Behind a career-high 16 strikeouts from senior RHP Aaron Quillen (Kingsport, Tenn.) the Belmont Bruins (20-13, 9-4) defeated the visiting Austin Peay Governors 15-0, Friday evening at E.S. Rose Park.
Quillen, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, allowed just two hits over his seven innings of dominant work.
"Every conference win you can pick up is huge. Austin Peay is really a good team and coming off the weekend they had, this is especially big. They have a lineup full of solid hitters, I just did my best to keep them off balance. This win gets us one step closer to Jackson," said Quillen after the victory.
The Bruins outhit Austin Peay (19-13, 10-6) 16-3, as they scored early and often en route to their fourth-straight win. Three different Belmont players finished with three hits, those three hitters just happened to be Belmont's 1-3 in the lineup. Alex Ward (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Chas Hadden (Morristown, Tenn.) and Tyler Fullerton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) all finished with three hit performances and collectively this group served as the catalyst in the victory. Ward scored four runs, Hadden drove in and scored three runs while Fullerton tied a career-high with five RBIs.
"You look at the top of the order and you see the numbers those guys put up, just incredible. We received tremendous production from them and they helped send a message early in the game," said Head Coach Dave Jarvis.
According to Austin Peay's sports information staff: This was the first time Austin Peay has been shut out since March 17, 2015 when it suffered a 3-0 nonconference loss at Tennessee and its first conference shutout since May 16, 2014, a 1-0 loss at SIUE. Quillen's 16 strikeouts were the most by an individual pitcher against the Govs since Vanderbilt alumnus David Price struck out 17 batters in a NCAA regional tournament contest (June 1, 2007).
Quillen had some electric stuff as he mixed in all three of his pitches for strikes with great command. The senior All-Preseason OVC pitcher retired 12 of the first 13 batters he saw. 11 of the first 15 outs recorded by Quillen came via the strikeout. The only trouble he really ran into game was in the fifth when he walked the bases loaded, but managed to escape the jam with his 11th strikeout of the game.
"First of all I want to thank Desi Ammons (Hohenwald, Tenn.) and his brother Garrett, they cooked for a group of us last night. They fixed up some venison and turkey chili, I think that's got to be one of the reasons we came out and played so well today," added Quillen.
In their last two OVC contests, the Bruins have received two incredible starting pitching performances by Quillen and reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week, Tyler Vaughn (Jonesboro, Ill.). Quillen's previous career high in strikeouts was 11, which he surpassed in just five innings of work.
"It was such an outstanding effort from Aaron tonight, the confidence he gives our team is a big factor. I felt like we beat a very good pitcher in Robles tonight. He's an outstanding competitor and a tremendous arm, I tip my cap to our hitters. They executed our game plan extremely well," added Jarvis.
Alex Robles, a Preseason All-OVC hurler, beat the Bruins last season in a complete game victory in Clarksville. Throughout his four seasons, he had been very effective pitching against Belmont, but tonight was a much different story. BU got to the senior for 10 runs (9 earned) in his 5.1 innings of work. From the outside looking in, it appeared those in attendance would be in for a pitcher's duel of sorts at Rose Park. Quillen certainly did his part.
"I try not to think who I'm throwing against. For the most part I'm worried about taking care of the batters but there is a duel aspect to it. Robles is a great guy and a great pitcher it's fun to compete against guys like that," said Quillen.
After the win, Belmont moves up to third in the OVC standings with a 9-4 (.692) record and Austin Peay drops to fourth at 10-6 (.625).
Nine Bruins recorded hits and one of the four Bruins who finished with a multi-hit effort was Tyler Walsh (Evansville, Ind.) who finished with a pair of knocks. Walsh is swinging one of the hottest sticks on the Bruin club, hitting .444.
Hunter Holland (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) and Brennan Washington (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) each finished with a hit and two RBI.
The Bruins came out of the gate like gang busters, picking up three-straight extra base hits to open the game. To lead off the game, Ward ripped what looked like a stand up double into the left center gap, but the sophomore turned on the afterburners and ended up taking third to open the game with a triple. The next batter, Hadden, battled, got ahead in the count and shot one down the left field line to drive in Ward and earn himself a double. Fullerton continued the hitting line as he smacked a double to right to plate Hadden. Belmont would finish the frame with just the two runs, as after a mound visit, Austin Peay and Robles managed to limit the damage.
"Our kids went to the plate and had a good idea of what they wanted to up there. They executed that plan really well," added Jarvis.
Belmont kept its foot on the gas as it pushed across three more scores in the second. Walsh led off the inning with a single through the left side and then ended up at third before Austin Peay had recorded an out as he stole second and moved up on throwing error by the catcher. After two straight outs the Bruins picked up two straight walks to load the bases for the three hole hitter, Fullerton. While it wasn't the hardest hit ball, Fullerton picked up a big time hit when he blooped one into centerfield. All three runners, moving on the pitch, came around to score on the poke from Fullerton.
Fullerton is really starting to hit his stride, hitting an even .500 in conference play.
After being silenced in the third, the Bruins struck again in the fourth. Ward reached on his second hit of the ball game before Hadden drove him in a double off of the base of the left center wall.
Kyle Klotz (Fairview, Tenn.), making his 14th appearance of the season, provided two scoreless innings of relief for BU.
After getting out to a 6-0 lead midway through the contest, the Bruins continued to chip away as they combined for nine runs in innings 6-8.
Belmont's now tied a season-high with four consecutive wins and its won three or more in a row for the fourth time on the year.
BU and Austin Peay resume action tomorrow afternoon as the squads meet up for a 1 p.m. tilt at Rose Park.
