COLUMBUS, Ohio -With the start of Ohio Valley Conference action just five days away, Austin Peay State University's baseball team still has questions to answer after dropping a 7-3 decision to Ohio State, Sunday afternoon at Bill Davis Stadium.

Austin Peay's (10-9) most pressing question entering the weekend centered on its No. 3 starter. The Govs handed the ball to senior Lucas Anderson, Sunday, who pitched on four days rest. Anderson got off to a good start, facing two more than the minimum through three innings.

Ohio State (10-7) solved Anderson in the fourth, loading the bases with one out. The Buckeyes drove in the game's first run on left fielder Joe Ciamacco's sacrifice fly. Anderson's next pitch was his only mistake in the contest as right fielder David Corna lifted a ball into right field that caught the wind and sailed out of the park for a three-run home run and a 4-0 OSU lead.

The Govs other question remains where it will find its offense as it was held to three runs on five hits in the contest. Austin Peay put only four men on base through the game's first five innings, Sunday.

It took an Ohio State error in the sixth to get the Govs on the board when left fielder Cody Hudson eluded an attempted pickoff and scored as the pitcher's throw skipped into the outfield. However, the Buckeyes struck back for two runs in the sixth and tacked on another run in the seventh, extending their advantage to 7-1.

Austin Peay had a golden opportunity to climb back in the contest in the eight. Centerfielder Michael Blanchard led off the inning with a long fly ball to center that the field dropped, allowing Blanchard to reach second base. The Govs loaded the bases with a walk and a single.

Jordan Hankins brought home the Govs first run when he was hit by a pitch. The Govs tried to score again when a pitch got away from the catcher, but designated hitter Jon Clinard was out on a close play at the plate.

The Govs immediately loaded the bases again as first baseman Matt Wollenzin walked and scored their second run of the inning when shortstop Reed Harper walked.  However, the Govs rally ended when right fielder Rolando Gautier - representing the tying run - hit into a fielder's choice.

Anderson (2-1) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on three hits and five walks over 4.1 innings. Left fielder Cody Hudson led APSU's offensive effort with a 2-for-5 effort that included a pair of stolen bases.

Ohio State starter Brett McKinney  (3-2)  picked up the win after allowing three unearned runs over 7.1 innings and striking out seven batters. Corna finished the day 3-for-4 with four RBI to lead the Buckeyes nine-hit offensive effort.

Austin Peay returns to Tennessee and will conclude its four-game road trip with a 6 p.m., Tuesday contest at Lipscomb.

-AP-