COOKEVILLE - Austin Peay State University's baseball team could not shake off the rust of a nine-day layoff and dropped both ends of an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader - 15-3 and 6-1 - to Tennessee Tech, Saturday night, at Bush Stadium.

Tennessee Tech (22-21, 8-5 OVC) jumped out to an early lead in the day's first game and ultimately scored in six of its eight innings. On the mound, Golden Eagles starter Adam Liberatore (5-4) held the Govs without a hit through the first four innings and picked up the victory after tossing seven scoreless innings while striking out eight.

The Golden Eagles scored four times in the first, using an APSU error to extend the inning for right fielder right fielder Cassanova Donaldson's two-run home run. TTU scored two runs in the second on centerfielder Chad Oberacker's double and another two runs in the third on left fielder Austin Wulf's two-run home run. Tennessee Tech's five-run sixth inning was helped along by four Austin Peay errors.

Austin Peay (22-21, 4-10) broke up Liberatore's no-hit bid courtesy first baseman John Hogan's leadoff single in the fifth. The Govs had to wait until the eighth to end the shutout, scoring three times in the frame off TTU relief pitching.

Govs starter Ricky Marshall (4-5) suffered the loss after allowing nine runs (five earned) on seven hits and six walks over four innings.

Tennessee Tech grabbed the lead first in the nightcap, scoring two runs in the second inning, the first without using a base hit and the second on shortstop Hayes single.

Austin Peay had an opportunity to tie the game in the third, catcher Trey Lucas' fly ball finding safe ground between three Tennessee Tech fielders. Right fielder Adam Browett scored from second base but first baseman John Hogan was caught out at home trying to score from first base.

The Govs would not score the rest of the way, stranding 11 runners on base, including nine in scoring position. Tennessee Tech would go on to add three runs in the fifth and another run in the sixth to set the final score.

TTU starter Lee Henry (4-3) picked up the game-two victory, allowing one run on six hits while striking out six over 5.1 innings. Closer Stephen Pryor picked up his season's four save, recording the game's final five outs - four via strikeouts.

APSU starter Ryne Harper could not get out of the second inning and suffered the loss after allowing two runs on two hits and two walks over 1.2 innings.

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

- AP -