JACKSONVILLE, Ala. ? Austin Peay had some chances Sunday in its Ohio Valley Conference opener against defending champion Jacksonville State, but came up short in being swept by the Gamecocks 3-2 and 8-1.

Austin Peay (5-16, 0-2 OVC) led for the first 5 1/2 innings in Game 1, as junior shortstop Ashley Taylor hit her season's first home run to lead off the game and sophomore first baseman Ashley Alverson singled in sophomore left fielder Tiffany Smith in the top of the second to make it 2-0.
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Jacksonville State (15-7, 2-0 OVC) would cut the margin to 2-1 in the bottom of the third and that would be the way it would stay until the bottom of the sixth.

Gamecocks' leadoff hitter Chrissy O'Neal opened the sixth with a single up the middle and, after a sacrifice to move her into scoring position, O'Neal scored on a double by Allie Barker to tie the game 2-2. Nikki Prier followed with a double of her own scoring Barker with what proved to be the game-winning run.

Game 2 was just the opposite for the Lady Govs, as they fell behind early, giving up three runs to the Gamecocks in the first inning.

Austin Peay, who left seven runs on base in the second game, scored its only run in the top of the second, when Alverson opened the innings with a single and more into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Samantha Butts.

Alverson would score on a single up the middle by senior third baseman Krista Henke to cut the margin to 3-1.

That would be as close as the Lady Govs would get, as the Gamecocks would add two more runs in each of the third and fourth innings and one run in the fifth for the 8-1 final.

Taylor, senior Ashley Elrod, sophomore Detra Farley and freshman Randal Davenport also had hits for the Lady Govs in Game 2.

Austin Peay next game will be 3 p.m., Tuesday, as Lady Govs Field, as they play host to Middle Tennessee in a doubleheader.

 -AP-