CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University finished on the wrong end of a slugfest, losing 15-9 to Iowa, Friday, at Raymond C. Hand Park. The Govs fall to 3-6 overall while the Hawkeyes improve to 2-5.

The Govs scored their nine runs on eight hits, including a pair of first-inning home runs by sophomore Greg Bachman and junior Matt Kole, with Kole's two-run shot giving the Govs an early 3-0 lead.

After a relatively smooth first inning, Austin Peay sophomore starter Ryne Harper saw his 15 scoreless innings streak come to an abrupt end. Iowa took advantage of APSU miscues to put men on base and nine-hole hitter Trevor Willis crushed a three-run home run to right. The Hawkeyes followed that with a double and another home run en route to a six-run second inning.

Austin Peay answered with two runs in the third and one run in the fourth. However, Iowa posted a five-run fifth to take an 11-6 lead. Senior reliever Ryne Mantooth gave up a pair of home runs in the frame, including a grand slam to Iowa's Zach McCool.
 
Iowa kept the bats hot until the end, closing the game with a three-run ninth inning. The Hawkeyes scored their 15 runs on 17 hits. While the Govs committed five errors in the game, only one run came unearned.

Patrick Shatz (1-0) earned the win as the first reliever up for the Hawkeyes. Shatz pitched 2.0 innings, allowing two runs on one hit. Starter Wes Freie posted the longest outing for Iowa, going 3.1 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits while walking four.

Harper (1-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on six hits and striking out two. Mantooth came on relief and allowed five runs in 3.0 innings, followed by David Vicini (2.0 innings, one run) and Jake Brisbin (2.0 innings, three runs, four strikeouts).

Kole led the Govs with a 2-for-2, two home run, four RBI effort. Trey Lucas provided the Govs other multi-hit performance, going 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles.

Kevin Hoef and T.J. Cataldo each went 4-for-6 to lead the Hawkeyes, while Freie, who also was the Hawkeyes designated hitter, and Trevor Wills each had four RBI.

The series continues with a 1 p.m., Saturday, game at Hand Park.

-AP-