CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University's baseball team could not solve Murray State starting pitcher Cameron Fitch and dropped the opening game of a Ohio Valley Conference series, 7-2, Saturday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay (10-15, 3-4 OVC) saw its offense limited to two runs on five hits in the nine inning affair. It equaled their lowest run output in conference play set last weekend at Jacksonville State and it was their lowest hit total since Feb. 23 at Baylor.

Murray State (11-12, 5-5 OVC) struck for two runs in the third inning on shortstop Matt McGowan's RBI single and catcher Tyler Lawrence's sacrifice fly. However, Austin Peay leveled the game in its half of the third thanks to a RBI fielder's choice by right fielder Rolando Gautier and a RBI double by Cayce Bredlau.

The Thoroughbreds broke that tie in the sixth inning by manufacturing a run. Right fielder Kollin Dowdy led off the inning with a single and moved to second on designated hitter Dalton West's sacrifice bunt. Murray State brought home the run on third baseman Clay Kelly's RBI single for the 4-3 lead it would not relinquish.

Murray State would break the game open in the ninth with four runs, including a three-run home run by first baseman Michael Hargrove.

Meanwhile, Finch stymied the Govs after giving up the two runs in the third. Austin Peay would get a runner in scoring position with no outs in the fifth, but Finch induced a pair of fielder's choices and a strikeout to escape his biggest threat. He would finish his outing by retiring eight of the final 11 batters he faced.

Finch (3-2) picked up the win after holding the Govs to two runs on four hits in 7.1 innings, striking out six. Closer Cody Maerz notched his season's second save after striking out four of the seven batters he faced over the final 1.2 innings.

Austin Peay starter Alex Robles (2-2) was saddled for the loss after allowing three runs on nine hits in six innings.

Murray State's offense rapped out 14 hits, with only two extra-base hits. Lawrence and McGowan each had three hits to pace the 'Breds attack.

Austin Peay's five hits went to five different hitters. Bredlau led the Govs with a 1-for-4, one RBI outing.

Austin Peay and Murray State return to action for Game 2 of their OVC series – a 1 p.m., Sunday contest.