THE LEAD
CLARKSVILLE – Left fielder Logan Gray finished with four hits and four RBI while starting pitcher Alex Robles allowed one run over seven innings to lead Austin Peay State University's baseball team past Eastern Kentucky, 10-1, in Friday night's Ohio Valley Conference series opener between the teams at Raymond C. Hand Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Gray drove in Austin Peay's first two runs with a RBI double in the first inning and a leadoff home run in the third frame. They were the opening salvo in Austin Peay's 9-0 run to start the game.

Meanwhile, Robles turned in another stellar performance at Raymond C. Hand Park. He started the game with six scoreless frames before allowing a seventh-inning solo home run – EKU's lone run. Robles closed his outing by striking out six of the final seven batters he faced.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Austin Peay posted its fourth-straight multi-home run contest with Gray and Hamilton again combining for a home run each. The Governors have hit nine home runs in their last four games after enduring a stretch of three home runs over a nine-game stretch.

Hamilton and Gray have matched each other with three home runs over the last four APSU games. The duo combined for a home run each April 16 at Belmont, April 19 against Lipscomb and Friday night.

Catcher Alex Sala reached base safely in all four plate appearances, Friday. He went 3-for-3 with a walk and railed a triple off the center field wall – his third extra base hit this season.

One the mound, Robles has allowed one run in his last two home starts totaling 15 innings. He has struck out 16 in those two outings.

THE FULL RECAP
Gray staked Robles to an early 1-0 lead with a double just inside the third base bag. It was the first of five consecutive batters to reach base to start the game. However, the Govs would leave the bases loaded as Eastern Kentucky starter Eric Nerl wriggled his way out of the jam.

Robles responded to the early run support with six straight scoreless innings to start the game. He would see a batter reach base in each of the first five innings, but only faced a runner in scoring position in the third inning.

After watching a double play end the fifth, Robles found a new level in the sixth and seventh innings. He struck out the side in order in the fifth with all three batters caught looking.

Robles then started the seventh with a fourth-straight strikeout, but Eastern Kentucky first baseman Ben Fisher ended the strike out streak with a solo home run to right field. Robles got back in stride quickly, striking out the next two batters to end the frame and his outing.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay's offense kept churning against Eastern Kentucky. Gray doubled the APSU lead with a leadoff home run in the third and shortstop Clayton Smithson added a bases-loaded walk for a 3-0 lead.

Austin Peay (23-13, 13-6 OVC) saw its lead hit 5-0 after right fielder Chase Hamilton's two-run home in the fourth. Austin Peay put the game away in the fifth as Gray added a two-run double to his outing as part of a four-run frame that gave APSU a 9-0 lead.

Robles (7-3) had an impressive bounce back from a disappointing outing last week at Belmont. He scattered five hits over seven innings, striking out nine and walking none.

Gray chipped in a 4-for-5, four RBI performance that included two doubles and a home run – the third in his last four games. Catcher Alex Sala chipped in a career-high three hits in a 3-for-3 outing. Hamilton added a 2-for-4, two RBI night.

Nerl (4-3) was tagged for the loss after surrendering eight runs on 11 hits and four walks over 4.1 innings.

Eastern Kentucky (18-21, 7-9 OVC) was held to six hits, Fisher leading the way with a 2-for-3, one RBI performance.

Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky continue the three-game series with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest. The Governors will recognize their 1971 OVC Championship squad during pregame and in-game cerem