WOODSTOCK, Ga. ? After seeing its offense only being able to score 11 runs in its first 12 games this season, Austin Peay's softball team exploded for 17 runs on Friday afternoon, as the Lady Govs swept its opening two games at the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic with a 5-2 victory over Florida A&M and a 12-6 victory versus Howard.

For Austin Peay (3-11) it was the second game where the bats really started to roll, as the Lady Govs pounded three Bison pitchers for 13 hits, with eight of its nine starters recording at least one hit.

Howard (3-10) got out to an early 5-0 first-inning lead on Lady Govs junior starter Meagan Williams, who fell victim to a pair of walks and two Lady Govs errors among the nine batters she faced.

But the Lady Govs would answer back with five run of its own in the bottom of the second inning, highlighted by back-to-back doubles by junior first baseman Daniella Hooper to open the inning, and a two-run double by junior catcher Ashley Taylor.

Taylor, who was getting her first start of the season after having hand surgery in the off season, finished the day with two hits and a team high four RBIs.

Austin Peay would take the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning, as the Lady Govs added six more runs on seven hits, with Taylor driving in two, while Hooper sophomore Randal Davenport and seniors Krista Henke and Ashley Elrod driving in a run each.

That would be all that Ashley Bolda would need, as the freshman ? who relieved Williams ? held Howard to one run on 11 hits over the final six innings. She struck out five.

In the opener, Austin Peay jumped out quickly on the Lady Rattlers with junior second baseman Brittany Williams scoring both runs without a hit. The first came on an infield out by Hooper, the second on a sacrifice fly to center -- also by Hooper.

The Lady Govs would make it 4-0 in the top of the fourth, as freshman left fielder Jessica Ryan hammered a two-run homer over the left field fence ? the first as a Lady Govs ? also scoring fellow freshman center fielder Catie Cozart, who opened the inning with a double.

Florida A&M would score its two runs in the bottom of the fourth cutting the margin to 4-2 and chasing APSU starter Abby Mabry, who was relieved  Elrod.

Elrod (1-4) would hold the Lady Rattlers off the board for the final three and a third innings of play ? allowing only two hits -- and picked up the victory.

Austin Peay would tack on an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning, as freshman pinch runner Samantha Butts scored on an infield out by Henke.

Austin Peay will continue play at the Buzz Classic Saturday, as the Lady Govs square off against Winthrop at noon and Western Kentucky at 5 p.m.

-AP-