CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's baseball team suffered through a listless performance and fell, 11-5, to Valparaiso, Sunday afternoon, at Raymond C. Hand Park. The Crusaders won the three-game season-opening series, 2-1, after splitting Saturday's doubleheader.

Austin Peay (1-2) jumped out to the early lead, scoring solo runs in the first and third innings. In the first inning, Rafael Hill scored the game's first run after reaching via a base on balls, stealing second base, advancing to third on a ground out and crossing the plate after a wild pitch. The Govs second run came in the third inning after back-to-back singles by Josh Kemph and Hill opened the inning. Kemph would later score on Tyler Farrar's sacrifice fly.

Valparaiso (2-1) took advantage of two APSU miscues to score in the fourth inning. The inning opened with an infield error followed by an outfield miscue. Starter David Vicini got the next two outs without either runner advancing, but could not find the third out as John Guisti singled in the Crusaders first run and Dan DeBruin's double down the left field line brought home two more runs. Vicini got a strikeout to end the inning.

The Govs battled back in its half of the fourth, plating three runs. Ryan Gilboy had an RBI groundout, J.B. Gilbert added an RBI single and later scored on a wild pitch.

Valparaiso's pitching closed the door from there, allowing five base runners over the final five innings. Meanwhile, the Crusader offense posted three more runs in the fifth and added a five-run sixth inning to break open the game. Six different Valparaiso hitters batted in runs in the two innings ? Brett Bivens and Andrew Quinnette each batted in two runs.

Vicini (0-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. Reliever Jeff Lykins came on in the sixth and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings.

The Govs offense rapped out nine hits, Hill going 3-for-4 and Joshua Kemph adding a 2-for-4 performance.

Jarad Miller (1-0) picked up the victory for Valparaiso after allowing one run on three hits and a walk over 3.2 innings. Starter John Snelten was rescued from a loss after allowing four runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings.

Valparaiso pounded the Govs pitching for 14 hits, Zach Rodeghero going 4-for-5 with an RBI. He finished the three-game series with eight hits.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, contest against Western Kentucky.

- AP -