CLARKSVILLE - Junior first baseman John Hogan had a combined five hits and six RBI to lead Austin Peay State University's baseball team to a doubleheader sweep, 11-8 and 14-8, of Murray State, Saturday in Ohio Valley Conference action at Raymond C. Hand Park.

The series opener was a back-and-forth affair early, Austin Peay led 1-0 after the first only to watch Murray State score three times in the second to take a 3-1 lead. Both teams scored in the third, giving the Thoroughbreds a 4-3 advantage before the Govs were able to break the game open.

Austin Peay (13-9, 2-0 OVC) gained some breathing room with a five-run fourth inning. Hogan started the scoring with a run-scoring double. One out later, sophomore third baseman Shayne Martin added a two-run double followed by consecutive RBI singles by sophomore second baseman Jon Clinard and senior right fielder Jared DeLong, giving APSU a 8-4 lead.

Murray State (11-11, 0-2) crept back within one run with a three-run fifth inning but Austin Peay used solo home runs by left fielder Cody Hudson in the fifth inning and shortstop Reed Harper in the sixth to maintain its lead.

The 'Breds did not go away and loaded the bases in the eighth inning, trailing 11-8. The Govs turned to senior closer Zach Gerler who struck out the first batter he faced and then dodged a bullet when first baseman Wes Cunningham - who had two solo home runs earlier in the game - lined out to right field. Gerler went on to retire the side in order in the ninth to record his season's fifth save.

Austin Peay senior right-hander Ricky Marshall (4-2) picked up the victory after allowing eight runs on nine hits over 6.2 innings.

Murray State senior right-hander Chris Craycraft (4-2) had a rough outing, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits in the loss.

Offensively, Clinard Martin each had three hits to lead Austin Peay while DeLong had four RBI and Hogan added two RBI. Murray State finished with 11 hits with four players recording two hits each.

The Govs jumped out quickly in the second contest, scoring the game's first 10 runs. Austin Peay scored in five of its six innings with three home runs highlighting the action. Senior catcher Trey Lucas went 3-for-3 and finished with five RBI, including a two-run home run in the fifth. Hogan added a 4-for-4, four-RBI effort, with a two-run double in the fourth and a two-run home run in the sixth. Senior right fielder Adam Browett had the Govs other home run - a solo blast in the first inning.

Murray State narrowed the scoring in the latter innings, Cunningham's sixth-inning grand slam providing its biggest highlight.

Govs junior right-hander Ryne Harper (3-0) won his third straight outing behind the offensive outburst, allowing two runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings.

Senior right-hander Dan Huff (1-3) suffered the loss after allowing 10 runs on 10 hits over three-plus innings.

Austin Peay and Murray State will wrap up their three-game OVC series with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest.

NOTES: Austin Peay scored in 11 of the 14 innings it played and recorded 27 hits for a .435 batting average... Austin Peay won consecutive OVC games just once last season - a doubleheader sweep at UT Martin - en route to its last-place league finish... Murray State's Wes Cunningham had three hits - all home runs in the contest - and was walked three times.

- AP -