CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's softball team -- coming off a 4-4 home stand -- will hit the road for the first time since March 22, playing at Tennessee-Martin in a 2 p.m., Wednesday, Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader Wednesday at Bettye Giles Field.

Austin Peay (10-26, 2-9 OVC) is currently in ninth place in the conference, while Tennessee-Martin (20-17, 4-7 OVC) is in eighth place ? having lost nine of 11 games. The Skyhawks did win their last two games versus Tennessee State this past weekend in Nashville.

“(Tennessee-Martin) is right above us in the standings, so it should be a good competition,” Austin Peay coach Casey Dickson said, “I know offensively they've been hitting very well, so we're going to have to bring our pitching and defense (Wednesday). Those two things will be a key for us against a team that is well respected and a big rival for us.”

The Lady Govs also have seen an uptick this past couple of weeks in its offensive attack, as Austin Peay has raised its team batting average over 20 points during the eight-game home stand.

“I would like to see how our hitting has broken down over the last eight games or so as a team,” Dickson said. “I've been pleased with the improvement in our hitting of late, but all season it's been a roller coaster of one thing working (hitting, pitching, fielding) and the other two not.

“I would be happy with having pitching and defense (Wednesday), because I think the games will be low scoring, low number of hits, type of games.”

- AP -