JACKSONVILLE, Ala.. ? Austin Peay's baseball team was swept by Jacksonville State, 6-5 in Game 1 and 4-0 in Game 2, in an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader, Saturday at Rudy Abbott Field.

The Govs suffered a severe offensive drought on the day after scoring five runs in the first four innings of game one. After that, Austin Peay was kept off the scoreboard for 12 innings. Credit JSU starter and preseason OVC “Pitcher of the Year” Ben Tootle (3-1) for tossing a complete game shutout in the nightcap.

Tootle had everything going for him in the seven-inning contest, striking out 10 while allowing three hits and four walks along the way. Jared DeLong singled to lead off the fourth inning and the Govs racked up two singles in the fifth ? one was wiped out by a double play and the other was left stranded.

APSU starter Stephen Huff (0-3) struggled early in Game 2, walking back-to-back hitters with one out. A two-out rally consisting of an RBI-single and a two-RBI double produced three first-inning runs Huff went on to pitch 5.0 innings, allowing five hits and five walks while striking out a season-high seven.

DeLong, Brooks Hunton and Trey Lucas each had a hit for the Govs in Game 2. Ricky Marshall and Brian Bernatowicz combined to pitch 1.0 inning of relief, allowing one run on one hit, walking two.

In the early game, the Gamecocks plated the go-ahead run after a Governors error allowed Todd Cunningham to get to second base to lead off in the eighth inning. A sacrifice bunt moved him to third and Austin Peay elected to load the bases with an intentional walk.  A dribbler back in front of the mound was too slow for a play at the plate, scoring Cunningham and setting the final 6-5 margin.

Austin Peay got on the board first, manufacturing a run after a one-out single by Lucas. Hunton drew a walk and a fielder's choice moved Lucas over to third base. Jon Clinard then drew a walk to load the bases and a JSU error allowed Lucas to score.

Lucas ripped a two-RBI single in the third to plate Matt Kole and Greg Bachman. In the fourth it was Adam Browett's two-RBI double to right scoring the DeLong and Zach Gerler.

After taking a 5-4 lead into the fifth inning, the Govs struggled to get base-runners managing only five base-runners after that point. Their last threat came in the eighth after a one-out single by Hunton and a walk by Gerler put two runners on base. However, a groundout and a strikeout ended the inning.

Lucas led the Govs ? in Game 1 ? a with a 3-for-4, two-RBI, effort. Browett also went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Govs starter Ryne Harper struggled, allowing four runs on six hits while walking six in 4.0 innings pitched. Marshall (2-2), however, was tagged with the loss after allowing the go-ahead run on base, pitching 0.2 innings and facing three batters.

-AP-