THE LEAD
CLARKSVILLE – Right fielder Chase Hamilton homered for the third consecutive game and left fielder Logan Gray supplied two RBI as Austin Peay State University's baseball team held on for a 4-3 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Eastern Kentucky, Saturday at Raymond C. Hand Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Austin Peay made the most of its season-low five hits against Eastern Kentucky, using three to drive in runs. Hamilton tied the game, 1-1, with a solo home run in the second.

One inning later, Gray put the Govs ahead for good with a bases-loaded two-run single. Hamilton then supplied a pivotal insurance run with a single that put APSU ahead 4-1.

Governors starter Michael Costanzo worked in and out of trouble in the first two innings, allowing a lone run, before holding the Colonels scoreless in the third and fourth innings. He would allow two runs in the fifth, but struck out the final batter he faced to end the threat.

Austin Peay's bullpen carried the load from there as Zach Neff and Jared Carkuff provided four shutout innings to hold the line in a one-run game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
After combining for six hits, two home runs and six RBI in Friday's victory the Hamilton-Gray duo were at it again Saturday. They combined for three hits, a home run and four RBI to provide nearly all the offense in a series-clinching victory.

Austin Peay's bullpen proved its worth again Saturday, providing four scoreless innings in a one-run game. The Governors relief corps now has 13 consecutive scoreless innings pitched in OVC play.

The Governors officially gained ground on both the OVC's front runners after Saturday's game. Southeast Missouri defeated Jacksonville State, Saturday, to level that series and allow Austin Peay to move one game closer in the standings again both squads.

With the win, Govs head coach Travis Janssen tied the program record for most wins in their first season (23).  

THE FULL RECAP
Austin Peay (24-13, 14-6 OVC) saw its offense limited to a season-low five hits, but it was highly efficient with three of those hits supplying runs in the victory. The Governors first hit came off Hamilton's bat as he drove a ball over the wall in the deepest part of center field to tie the game, 1-1.

The Govs pushed its lead further in the third inning after catcher Alex Sala led off with a double. Four batters later, Gray brought in two runs with a single through the left side. Hamilton chipped in his second RBI of the contest with a single to right field and the Govs lead hit 4-1.

Eastern Kentucky (17-23, 7-10 OVC) had plenty of scoring chances in the first five innings, but Austin Peay starter Michael Costanzo thwarted most of the opportunities. The Colonels scored just one run in the first inning after posting three hits in the frame.

Costanzo would work around trouble in the second, seeing a leadoff walk cut down at home plate. He would allow a single in the third and fourth frames, but the runner didn't reach scoring position.

The Colonels finally scratched out a pair of runs against the Govs left hander in the fifth. EKU's rally started with center fielder Shea Sullivan's one-out double. After a walk, designated hitter Mandy Alvarez drove in a run with a single. Designated hitter Kyle Nowlin followed with a sacrifice fly for a second run, but Costanzo got a much-needed strike out to end the frame with the Govs ahead 4-3.

Austin Peay's bullpen took over after the fifth and the duo of Zach Neff and Jared Carkuff provided four shutout frames. Neff followed Costanzo and went three innings, striking out four while allowing only one hit. Carkuff came on in the ninth and allowed a single that was wiped out on a game-ending line-drive double play.

Costanzo (6-2) remained perfect at Raymond C. Hand Park, improving to 6-0 in six home starts after holding the Colonels to three runs on eight hits over five innings.

Hamilton finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI as he hit his fourth home run in the Govs last five games. Gray also stayed hot at the plate with a 1-for-3, two RBI performance.

Eastern Kentucky starter Alex Hamilton (3-5) held Austin Peay to just four hits and struck out seven, but was tagged for the loss after his six-inning outing.

Shortstop Cole Warrenfeltz went 3-for-5 to pace the Colonels 10-hit offensive outing. Blair added a 2-for-3, one RBI effort.

Austin Peay, which clinched its fifth consecutive OVC series victory with Saturday's win, and Eastern Kentucky conclude their three-game league series with a 1 p.m., Sunday contest.