CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay's baseball team won the series opener, but could not complete the sweep as it split an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky, 7-4 and 4-8, Saturday at Raymond C. Hand Park.

The two teams traded body blows in the second inning of the series opener, Austin Peay (14-15, 4-3 OVC) delivering the larger blow, scoring four runs in the frame to take a 4-2 lead. Catcher Matt Wollenzin tied the game with a two-run single and was followed by left fielder Cody Hudson's triple that gave APSU a 3-2 lead. Third baseman Greg Bachman extended the lead to two runs with his RBI single.

Eastern Kentucky (10-21, 3-5), which led 2-0 after the top of the second on third baseman Bryan Soloman's two-run home run, closed to within one run twice later in the game. The Colonels scored an unearned run in the third to narrow the gap to 4-3. EKU added a run on pinch hitter Austin Grisham's run-scoring single in the eighth closing to within 5-4.

The Governors answered each time the gap narrowed. APSU led off the fourth with back-to-back singles and then manufactured a run with a sacrifice bunt to move the runners before right fielder Rolando Gautier brought home a run with a ground out. Austin Peay added two insurance runs in the eighth on Wollenzin's sacrifice fly and Gautier's run-scoring single.

Austin Peay starter Jeremy Dobbs (6-1) bounced back from a rough start a week ago, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven over 6.2 innings to pick up the win. Closer Ryne Harper recorded the final four outs for his season's third save.

Bachman led the Govs 12-hit offensive outing with a 3-for-5, one RBI effort. Hudson, Wollenzin and shortstop Reed Harper each added two hits.

EKU starter Matt Fyffe (0-4) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings. Shortstop Richie Rodriguez led the Colonels' 12-hit attack with a 4-for-5 performance.

Eastern Kentucky ran away and hid in the second game, scoring in five of the game's seven innings. Rodriguez reached in all four plate appearances - finishing the second game 3-for-3 with a walk - and ended the day with a streak of eight plate appearances reaching base safely.

The Colonels capitalized on Rodriquez's effort, left fielder and two-hole hitter Jacob Daniel going 2-for-3 with three RBI while cleanup hitter Soloman added a 2-for-4, two RBI effort.

Eastern Kentucky starter Kyle McGrath struggled early and lasted just three innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. Colonels reliever Matt Harris (1-2) earned the victory by allowing one unearned run over the final four innings while striking out five.

Austin Peay's offense had success early with two runs in the first and second innings, but could not generate quality scoring opportunities the game's remainder. No Governors player had a multi-hit outing in the eight-hit outing.

Govs starter Jack Snodgrass (1-4) also could not get on track and was chased after four-plus innings and allowing seven runs on nine hits.

Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky close out the three-game OVC set with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.

-AP-