CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? It took just six hits for Austin Peay State University's baseball team to down Tennessee Tech, 7-3, in Ohio Valley Conference action, Sunday afternoon, at Raymond C. Hand Park.

With the victory, Austin Peay wins a crucial conference series, 2-1, improves to 18-20 overall and 7-8 in league play. Tennessee Tech falls to 26-13-1 overall and 8-7 in conference action.

Austin Peay grabbed an early 2-0 lead on shortstop Tyler Farrar's two-run home run ? his season's eighth ? in the second inning. Catcher Trey Lucas' leadoff double in the fourth was cashed in on right fielder Will Hogue's sacrifice fly, giving APSU a 3-0 advantage.

Tennessee Tech had plenty of early opportunities, leaving five men on base in the first five innings. The Golden Eagles finally broke up the shutout in the sixth with third baseman Evan Webb's three-run home run with two out. TTU attempted to take the lead on second baseman Matt Mihoci's double, but left fielder Michael Roeder was thrown out at home on a relay play from left field.

The Govs regained the lead in their half of the sixth, using a leadoff hit batsman, a sacrifice and a Lucas double to score the go-ahead run. That would prove enough support for starter David Vicini, who left after one out in the sixth, and relievers Matt Kols and Daniel Tenholder who held the Golden Eagles scoreless over the final three innings.

Austin Peay tacked on three more runs in the eighth, center fielder Rafael Hill led off with a double to the center field wall and scored on first baseman Matt Kole's double to left center. After back-to-back walks and a strikeout, Farrar struck again with the game's lone single scoring the final two runs.

David Vicini (1-3) picked up his season's first victory after limiting Tennessee Tech to three runs on eight hits while striking out four over 6.1 innings. Kole closed out the seventh before making way for closer Daniel Tenholder who threw the final two innings for his season's seventh save. Offensively, Lucas and Farrar each had two hits, Farrar batting in four runs. Austin Peay stranded just four baserunners the entire game.

TTU starter Jared Dobbs (4-3) was tagged for the loss after surrendering six runs on five hits and two walks over 7.1 innings pitched. Center fielder Jake New, Webb and Mihoci each had two hits, Webb finishing 2-for-3 with 3 RBI.

Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts Vanderbilt in a 6 p.m., Tuesday, contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.

-AP-