CLARKSVILLE - Second baseman Jordan Hankins celebrated his birthday in style, his four-hit night helping Austin Peay's baseball team to rally from a two-run deficit and open its 2011 campaign with a 7-3 victory against Valparaiso, Friday night, at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Trailing 2-0 entering its half of the fourth, Austin Peay (1-0) slashed the lead in half with first baseman John Hogan's towering home run to right field. It was the Govs lone run of the frame but had a lasting effect.

One inning later, after Valparaiso (0-1) regained its two-run lead, the Govs offense finally found its rhythm as the first four batters each reached base. Center fielder Michael Blanchard led off the frame with a single, right fielder Jon Clinard walked before left fielder Cody Hudson drove home a run with a single.

The Govs kept the inning going with second baseman Jordan Hankins tying the game with his RBI single. Third baseman Greg Bachman completed the comeback with a sacrifice fly, giving Austin Peay a 4-3 lead which they would not relinquish.

The Govs extended their lead to 7-3 in the sixth as catcher P.J. Torres, Clinard and Hankins each posted RBI singles.

"I thought our guys played hard," said Govs head coach Gary McClure. "When we got down we didn't stress and continued to play hard. Hogan got us started with that towering home run. That lifted our club up offensively and we started to see the ball better. I thought we did a great job at the plate."

That was more than enough support for the Govs pitching staff. Starter Ryne Harper surrendered just three runs on seven hits but struck out six before leaving in the fifth inning.

Reliever Jeremy Dobbs (1-0) followed Harper and picked up the victory after holding the Crusaders scoreless through his 3.2 innings, striking out four and working around four walks. Mark Allen Bounds closed the game with a scoreless ninth.

"Our pitching was fantastic tonight," said McClure. "Ryne was able to throw his slider when and where he wanted tonight. Dobbs and Bounds came in and pitched really well for us in relief. I believe we're in a good spot with our pitching right now."

Hankins led the Govs 14-hit attack with a 4-for-5 effort that included two RBI and two stolen bases. Clinard, Hogan and Blanchard each finished with two hits.

"Jordan swung the bat well tonight," McClure said. "He does a great job of seeing the baseball and hitting it where it's pitched. What he did tonight didn't surprise me even though it was his first game of college baseball."

Valparaiso left fielder Steven Scoby went 3-for-5 in the leadoff spot and first baseman Ryan O'Gara added a 3-for-5, RBI effort.

Jon Grulbransen (0-1), the Crusaders starter, was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits over the opening five innings.

Austin Peay and Valparaiso continue their three-game series with a noon, Saturday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.

NOTES: The start of the game was delayed 4 hours and 14 minutes due to rain… Hankins wasn't the only Governor celebrating his birthday Friday night, catcher P.J. Torres scored his first collegiate hit in the contest on his birthday… Eight of the Govs nine hitters had a hit in the contest, only junior Greg Bachman was held without a hit but he was responsible for the game-winning run on his sacrifice fly in the fifth… Hogan's home run is the Govs first home run in a season-opening game since Jake Peterson's home run in the 2005 season opener.