CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? On a cold, blustery day Austin Peay State University's offense found the going difficult, dropping a 10-4 decision to Ball State, Sunday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay (2-5) saw just one batter reach base in the first four innings. Ball State starter Kolbrin Vitek retired the first eight batters he faced before hitting second baseman Jon Clinard. Vitek would retire four more batters before allowing his first hit ? a fifth-inning leadoff single to first baseman Brooks Hunton.

Meanwhile, Ball State (4-2) rattled Austin Peay starter Stephen Huff early. Two men reached in the first on bunts, but were unable to score. Huff retired the side in order in the second inning, but got into trouble in the third. A leadoff single was brought home by center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker's RBI triple and he would score on second baseman Nate Fields RBI single. The Cardinals would leave men on second and third, but led 2-0.

Huff wouldn't be as lucky in the fourth, surrendering three straight singles before departing without retiring a batter in the frame. Reliever Ricky Marshall could not keep the runs from scoring, surrendering three hits and a walk to the first five batters he faced. Hazelbaker had the inning's big hit, a two-run double. Marshall ultimately hit his stride, stranding runners at second and third courtesy back-to-back strikeouts. However, Ball State led 7-0 after sending 10 men to the plate.

The Govs would scratch back with three runs in the sixth, capitalizing on a throwing error by reliever brenden Stines who started the inning.  Austin Peay would get a single and a walk to load the bases for shortstop Greg Bachman who responded with an RBI single. Two outs later, designated hitter Ryne Mantooth posted his season's first hit, driving in a third run and cutting the lead to 7-3.

Austin Peay would add a final run courtesy back-to-back doubles by catcher Trey Lucas and Hunton in the eighth.

Ball State finished the scoring with three two-out runs off reliever Daniel Tenholder in the ninth, Hazelbaker driving in two more runs with a single.

Huff (0-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits in three-plus innings. Hunton had the Govs lone multi-hit outing, finishing 2-for-4.

Vitek (1-1) picked up the victory for Ball State after tossing five scoreless innings and striking out five. Hazelbaker went 4-for-6 with five RBI in the leadoff slot. Right fielder Ryan Chenowith added a 3-for-5 effort as the Cardinals rapped out 16 hits off six different APSU pitchers.

Austin Peay continues its homestand with a 3 p.m., Wednesday contest against Indiana State.