MOREHEAD, Ky. - Austin Peay State University's baseball team pounded out six home runs in a 24-5 rout of Morehead State, Sunday, in Ohio Valley Conference action at Allen Field. The Govs swept the three-game series - their fourth straight OVC series victory - and also gained sole possession of first place in the league race with nine games remaining.

Austin Peay (22-19) had six different players hit home runs in the contest. Right fielder Cody Hudson started the barrage by leading off the game with a home run. Two batters later, first baseman John Hogan belted a three-run shot, giving the Govs a 4-0 lead.

Shortstop Reed Harper was the next to join the list - his three-run, third inning home run pushing the Govs lead to 7-1. Third baseman Greg Bachman added a fourth-inning grand slam - the first by a Govs hitter since Matt Kole against Vanderbilt last season - and the lead ballooned to 11-2.

After Morehead State (7-33, 3-10) scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth, Austin Peay recovered those runs with second baseman Jordan Hankin's three-run home run stood at 14-5 after five innings.

Austin Peay scored its first 14 runs courtesy the long ball, they returned to manufacturing runs in the seventh. Six Governor batters reached base with two out - Bachman's RBI single, Hogan's two-run double and Harper's RBI single extending the lead to 18-5.

The Govs tacked on six more runs in the ninth, the big blow coming courtesy second baseman Chris Gili who belted his first collegiate home run - a three-run blast - to close the game's scoring.

Reliever Chuck Edlin (3-0) picked up the victory after tossing 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing four hits. Starter Zach Toney was unable to qualify for the victory, leaving after 3.1 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits.

Bachman finished the game 5-for-5 with five RBI. Harper posted a game-best six RBI while going 3-for-6 at the plate. Hogan finished with three hits and five RBI.

Morehead State starter Nate Smallwood (1-5) suffered the loss after allowing 10 runs on eight hits over 3.1 innings. Catcher Taylor Davis led the Eagles offense with a 3-for-5, two RBI effort.

Austin Peay takes the upcoming week off for finals before hosting Tennessee Tech in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series next Saturday and Sunday.

-AP-