THE LEAD
MOREHEAD, Ky. – Austin Peay State University's baseball team fell into early deficits twice and each time they proved too much overcome as it dropped both games of an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader, 11-1 and 7-6, Friday at Allen Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Morehead State put up big numbers against the Governors two starters. The Eagles scored eight runs against Game 1 hurler Alex Robles, including four runs in the first inning. Govs Game 2 starter Michael Costanzo escaped the first unscathed, but saw three runs score in the second inning en route to seven runs in the first four innings.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay could not solve Morehead State's starters early on. MSU Game 1 starter Patrick McGuff, making a snap start when Game 2 starter Matt Anderson wasn't available, limited APSU to one run in eight innings.

Anderson finished with his classes in time to start Game 2 and promptly struck out 12 Govs in 6.2 innings. He would allow four runs, but not before his offense staked him to a 7-0 lead.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Left fielder Logan Gray's two-run home run in Game 2 was his 10th this season and 30th career round-tripper. He became only the sixth Governor to record 30-plus home runs during their career.

In Game 1, both second baseman Garrett Copeland and right fielder Chase Hamilton were held off the base paths – ending their 23 and 26-game streaks reaching base safely, respectively.

In addition, Copeland saw his 11-game hit streak and Gray saw a career-best 10-game hit streak halted in Game 1.

Austin Peay's losing streak hit three games with the doubleheader sweep. It is the third time this season the Govs have lost three straight contests. APSU has not lost four straight games this season.

The sweep also ended the Governors streak of five consecutive OVC series won.

THE FULL RECAP
Morehead State (26-18, 12-8 OVC) jumped out to big leads in both contests as it solved Austin Peay starters Alex Robles and Michael Costanzo, respectively, early. In the opener, the Eagles scored four runs in the first and held a 7-1 advantage after five innings. The story was much the same in the nightcap, as it pushed three across in the second inning and held a 7-0 lead after four frames.

Austin Peay (25-16, 15-8 OVC) had its difficulties solving Morehead State Game 1 starter Patrick McGuff. The Governors saw eight of their first 10 batters retired before McGuff ran into control issues in the third. He would walk the bases loaded but escaped the jam when designated hitter Alex Robles' line drive to center field was caught at the fence.

The Govs lone run in the opener came in the fourth after McGuff walked leadoff hitter Ridge Smith, who promptly stole second base. Left fielder Josh Wilson singled in front of shortstop TJ Conroy who hit a fly ball to deep left center to allow Smith to score from third.

McGuff would retire the next five batters and would allow only two more hits, a double in both the sixth and seventh innings. Reliever Jason Goe allowed a one-out walk in the ninth but Morehead State turned a double play to end the game.

Austin Peay was helped into its 7-0 deficit in Game 2 by Eagles starter Matt Anderson. The senior right-hander struck out sixth batters while holding APSU scoreless through four frames.

The Governors broke through in the fifth when Conroy led off with a single and scored on center fielder Patrick Massoni's one-out single. Left fielder Logan Gray followed with a towering home run to right center, cutting the deficit to 7-3.

Two innings later, second baseman Garrett Copeland led off with a triple into the right field corner. He would score on Massoni's ground out, cutting the deficit to three runs, 7-4.

Austin Peay would keep the pressure up in the eighth as Robles and right fielder Chase Hamilton hit back-to-back doubles, getting APSU within two runs. After a hit batsman, pinch hitter Josh Wilson reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Hamilton to score and APSU was within a run, 7-6. However, Morehead State reliever Tyler Keele struck out the next batter to end the threat.

The Governors got one final change to level the score after Massoni walked to start the ninth. Keele struck out a batter and then induced a fly out before suffering an injury to his hand. After several minutes to treat the injury, Keele induced an infield pop out to end the game.

Robles (7-4) was handed the loss in Game 1 after allowing eight runs on 12 hits in six-plus innings. Costanzo (6-3) remained winless on the road after allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in four innings of Game 2.

Austin Peay's offense was held to four hits in the first game, Conroy going hitless officially while driving in the Govs lone run. In the nightcap, Austin Peay posted 11 hits – six for extra bases – as Gray led the way with a 3-for-5, two RBI effort.

Morehead State starters Patrick McGuff (4-3) and Matt Anderson (6-2) picked up the wins in Game 1 and 2, respectively. McGuff held APSU to one run on four hits and five walks over eight innings. Anderson struck out 12 batters in 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. Keele was credited with his sixth save with two scoreless innings in the nightcap.

The Eagles posted 26 hits in the doubleheader, center fielder Ryan Kent and right fielder Will Schneider each finishing with six hits. Schneider had two home runs in the opener, a two-run shot in the fifth and a three-run blast in the eighth. Kent reached base in front of Schneider in eight of his 10 plate appearances, going 3-for-3 with four runs scored in the opener.

Austin Peay and Morehead State will attempt to conclude the three-game series with a 1 p.m. (CT), Saturday contest, weather permitting. Follow Austin Peay baseball on Twitter (@AustinPeayBSB) for schedule updates.