CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Needing two wins to secure a berth into the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, Austin Peay State University's baseball team took care of their own business, sweeping a doubleheader ? 4-2 and 3-2 in eight innings ? against Murray State, Friday night, at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay improves to 27-26 overall, 14-11 in OVC action and secured the right to make its 20th all-time tournament appearance. Murray State falls from sixth place ? and the final spot in the upcoming tournament ? into eighth place at 20-30 overall and 11-14 in league play.

The two teams will wrap up the regular-season with a 1 p.m., Sunday, contest. The Govs will recognize their seven seniors in a ceremony prior to the day's first pitch.

GAME 1: Govs use small ball open series with win

After watching Murray State tie the game, 2-2, in the top of the seventh, Austin Peay used its small-ball tactics to churn out two runs in the bottom of the frame on its way to the 4-2 victory.

In the decisive frame, pinch hitter Zach Upton led off the inning by receiving a base on balls and was sacrificed to second base by third baseman Greg Bachman. Left fielder Josh Kemph followed with a single to plate the go-ahead run and then moved into scoring position after stealing second base. Center fielder Rafael Hill slapped an single up the middle to bring home Kemph as insurance.

The Govs held a 2-0 lead going into the seventh thanks to an odd play in the fourth and the day's only home run in the sixth. In the fourth, Austin Peay had runners on first and third with two out when third baseman Greg Bachman checked his swing on a 2-1 count. As the swing was being appealed, the runner on first took off inducing a throw from Murray State's catcher. On the throw, the Govs runner at third broke for home and scored easily while the other runner got hung up between bases and was tagged out to end the frame.

Austin Peay upped its lead to 2-0 in the sixth on first baseman Matt Kole's two-out solo home run that just curved its way around the right field foul pole.

Murray State finally broke through in the seventh by taking advantage of some sloppy play by the Austin Peay defense. The Govs saw a potential double play go awry when the throw to first sailed into the ?Breds dugout putting the runner on second base. Designated hitter Wes Cunningham would score that run with a single, halving the lead. Third baseman Tyler Owen followed with a base hit to right field where right field Will Hogue misplayed the ball, surrendering the game-tying run.

Austin Peay reliever Ryne Mantooth (7-3) picked up the victory after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits, but struck out six over 2.2 innings. Closer Daniel Tenholder recorded his school-record 11th save after striking out two in the ninth.

Murray State starter Mike Perconte (5-6) went the distance, allowing four runs on nine hits in eight innings.

GAME 2: Govs rally to win in extra innings

Austin Peay was limited to one hit through the game's first five innings and held scoreless through six innings by Murray State starter Daniel Calhoun. However, the Govs connected for five consecutive hits with one out in the seventh to tie the game. Kemph's single to left field broke up the shutout and second baseman J.B. Gilbert followed with another RBI single to tie the game, 2-2, and force extra innings.

In the extra frame, the Govs got back-to-back walks to start the inning, chasing reliever Matt McGaha before he could record an out. Marc Harmon took the mound and struck out the first batter he faced before hitting Hogue to load the bases. After getting a second strikeout, Harmon surrendered a single to designated hitter Daniel Baggett for the game-winning run.

Austin Peay starter David Vicini did not factor in the decision despite holding Murray State to two runs on nine hits over 6.1 innings. He made way for reliever Jeff Lykins who induced a double play to end the seventh inning. Lykins would face one batter in the eighth before Tenholder (4-1) came in to record three straight outs for the victory.

Murray State led 2-0 after five innings, scoring a run on catcher Evan Pettit's single in the second frame and another run on center fielder Zach Noonan's sacrifice fly in the fifth. McGaha (2-2) was tagged for the loss after putting the eventual game-winning run on in the eighth.

NOTES: Austin Peay head coach Gary McClure recorded his 628th career victory, moving him into a second-place tie with former Eastern Kentucky head coach Jim Ward (1981-01) on the OVC's all-time wins leaderboard... The 2008 tournament appearance will be the Govs 10th consecutive visit to the OVC's post-season tourney... Murray State will need to win, Sunday, and get losses from both Tennessee Tech and Eastern Kentucky to earn a berth into postseason action.

-AP-