ATLANTA  - Austin Peay State University's baseball team could not survive a barrage of Georgia State home runs, dropping an 8-5 decision in its road opener, Friday, at GSU Baseball Complex.

Austin Peay (3-2) struck first as senior first baseman Tyler Childress belted his season's first home run - a three-run blast in the second - to give APSU a 3-0 lead.

Georgia State (4-2) chipped away at that lead in its half of the second, loading the bases not once, but twice. Austin Peay starter Zach Toney did well to get out of the jam with only two sacrifice flies to slash the APSU lead to 3-2.

The Panthers took the lead for good in the third courtesy right fielder Jonathan Kolowich hit a two-run home run off Toney. Georgia State struck again in the sixth, catcher Scott Sarratt batting in Kolowich, who led off the frame with a double, and the hosts led 5-3 after six innings.

The Governors attempted to stretch Toney into the seventh inning, but the Panthers center fielder Kody Adams ended his outing with a leadoff home run. Reliever Lucas Anderson surrendered back-to-back hits after taking the mound - the second a two-run home run by first baseman Brandon Williams and the Georgia State lead expanded to 8-3.

Austin Peay cut into the lead in the ninth, scoring a run on a wild pitch and a second run courtesy second baseman Jordan Hankins' fielder's choice. The Govs would bring the potential tying run to the plate with two outs, but GSU reliever Justin Malone ended the threat by striking out right fielder Rolando Gautier.

Toney (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over six-plus innings.

Center fielder Michael Blanchard went 2-for-5 for the Govs lone multi-hit outing. Childress ended the day 1-for-4 with three RBI.

GSU starter Jake Dyer (1-1) notched the win, limiting Austin Peay to three runs and striking out seven over seven innings. Malone picked up his season's first save with two strikeouts in the four batters he faced.

Kolowich led Georgia State's offense with a 3-for-4, three RBI outing. Williams added a 2-for-4, two RBI effort and Adams was 2-for-5 with the lone RBI.

Austin Peay and Georgia State will continue their three-game series with a noon, Saturday contest.

-AP-