CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University split its Saturday Ohio Valley Conference opening doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky, winning game one 2-1, before falling 10-7 in the nightcap.

Pitching and defense got the job done in the opener. Sophomore starter Ryne Harper (2-1) struck out nine Colonels, walked on and scattered six hits over 7.2 innings of work. Junior Daniel Tenholder earned his season's fourth save, pitching the final 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.

The Govs had only six hits on the day, as EKU starter Chris Hord (1-2) allowed two runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out four in 8.0 innings.

EKU (10-6, 1-1 OVC) took an early lead on Joey Stevens solo home run in the second inning, Harper's only blunder. Harper gathered himself and struck out the next three Colonel hitters.

Austin Peay (9-11, 1-1 OVC) was shutout through the first five innings, until freshman Jon Clinard singled off the third baseman to lead off the sixth. A sacrifice bunt moved Clinard to second base and a well-executed hit-and-run, assisted by an EKU error, allowed Clinard to score, tying the game at 1-1.

Junior Matt Kole doubled to right-center to lead off the seventh inning. Following a Govs strikeout, catcher Trey Lucas dribbled a single through the right side, scoring Kole from second base, setting the final margin.

Lucas went 1-for-2 with an RBI, and threw out two would-be base stealers. Six different Govs had one hit.

In game two, Kole, Ryne Mantooth, Lucas and Brooks Hunton each had RBIs in the first inning. A two-run home run by sophomore Greg Bachman in the second, put Austin Peay ahead 6-1 heading into the third.

Austin Peay starter Jack Snodgrass (2-1) opened the door to the Colonels and they posted eight runs in the third inning. It took five singles, a two-RBI double and two-run home run to put the Govs behind 9-6.

Govs reliever Stephen Huff allowed a two-out solo home run to Jayson Langfels in the fourth inning to close out EKU's scoring. Mantooth came on to pitch in the fifth and was flawless the rest of the way, throwing three no-hit innings while striking out three.

There was no rally left in the Govs, however, as EKU's Matt Fyffe shut down Austin Peay over the game's final two innings, allowing only one baserunner the rest of the way, to earn his first save. Jim Clancy (2-0) earned the win after allowing seven runs on five hits while striking out two in 5.0 innings.

Bachman led the Govs at the plate, going 1-for-4, reaching on errors twice, with a home run and two RBI.

-AP-