CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University's baseball team was unable to solve Murray State starter Jake Donze and fell 9-6 in Ohio Valley Conference action, Sunday at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Donze (3-3) struck out nine Austin Peay batters through his eight-plus innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. His effort helped Murray State prevent an OVC series sweep on the opening weekend.

Austin Peay (13-10, 2-1 OVC) could not get its offense on track against Donze, scoring twice in the second and once in the third. The Govs threatened in the ninth, scoring three times and bringing the potential winning run to the plate but 'Breds reliever Matt McGaha wriggled free with a strikeout to end the contest.

Murray State (12-11, 1-2 OVC) scored three times in the second inning, using a pair of Austin Peay errors to extend the inning for additional runs. Another Govs error in the fifth led to a four-run outburst that broke the game open.

Govs starter Stephen Huff (2-3) held the top portion of the 'Breds lineup in check throughout his six-inning outing. He held Murray State's top four hitters to 2-for-12 hitting, including three strikeouts of first baseman Wes Cunningham who had three home runs Saturday. However, he surrendered eight runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out seven.

Austin Peay recorded 10 hits in the contest, left fielder Adam Browett and center fielder Michael Blanchard each posting two hits.

Murray State rapped out 11 hits as the bottom five hitters posted eight hits. Second baseman Jonathan Craycraft, right fielder Daniel Hill and center fielder Elliot Frey each had two hits - Hill and Frey finishing with two RBI.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 6 p.m., Tuesday home contest against Middle Tennessee.

- AP -