CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Catcher Trey Lucas' 3-for-5 performance led Austin Peay State University's baseball team to a 10-4 non-conference victory against Evansville, Wednesday night, at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay swept the regular-season series from Evansville, winning the season's earlier meeting in Evansville, 5-2, April 23. The Govs improved to 24-24 overall while Evansville fell to 13-36.

The Govs had just tied the game, 2-2, in the fourth inning when they broke open the game in the fifth, scoring five times. Shortstop Tyler Farrar started the breakout with a run-scoring double, followed by first baseman Matt Kole's two-run single. However, Lucas closed the inning's scoring with an emphatic two-run home run ? his season's fourth ? over the left field wall, giving APSU a 7-2 lead which they would not surrender.

Govs reliever Ryne Mantooth (6-3) picked up the victory after throwing 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out five. Closer Daniel Tenholder finished the contest with two innings of scoreless relief, striking out two.

Offensively, the Govs needed just nine hits to post the victory, Lucas leading the way with a 3-for-4, two RBI, three runs scored effort. Six other Govs had one hit each, Kole adding a 1-for-5, two RBI performance.

Evansville's Curtis Hudson was tagged for the loss after surrendering five runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning. UE starter Mark Obenchain opened the night's proceedings with two scoreless innings.

Right fielder Derek Melton and first baseman Sean Loggins each had two hits for the Purple Aces.

Austin Peay returns to action with a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series, Saturday and Sunday, at Eastern Illinois. The series ? the Govs final road conference set ? begins with a 1 p.m., Saturday, doubleheader before concluding with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest at Coaches Field.

-AP-