CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University's baseball team struggled out of the gate and could not recover in a 7-3 loss to Evansville, Wednesday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Evansville (10-7) struck quickly, scoring four runs in the first inning. First baseman Jason Hockemeyer's two-run double put the Purple Aces on the board. Designated hitter Kyle Pollock followed with Evansville's first home run this season, a two-run blast that expanded the lead to four runs.

The Purple Aces scored two more in the second and added their seventh run in the third frame. Shortstop Eric Stamets' RBI triple was the second inning's big hit while left fielder Andy Lasher's RBI single was Evansville's final run.

Austin Peay (9-7) could only muster single runs in the first, second and fourth innings in response. Third baseman Greg Bachman had a RBI double in the first, catcher Matt Wollenzin added a second inning solo home run and right fielder Rolando Gautier added a RBI triple in the fourth.

Both team's bullpens quelled any further run scoring opportunities, neither team scoring in the final five innings. Austin Peay's relief corps escaped a bases loaded, no outs situation in the sixth that was the game's biggest threat down the stretch.

Casey Delgado (2-2), making a spot weekday appearance, struggled early for the second consecutive outing and lasted just two innings, allowing six runs on five hits. The Govs bullpen allowed just one run over the final eight innings.

Evansville's Ryan Billo (2-0) notched the win, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings.

Offensively, Austin Peay finished with eight hits. Bachman, Wollenzin and Gautier each had two hits.

Hockemeyer led Evansville with a 3-for-5, two RBI outing as the Purple Aces posted 11 hits against the Govs.

Austin Peay begins a four-game road trip when it travels to Ohio State for a three-game series beginning with a 4 p.m., Friday contest in Columbus, Ohio.

-AP-