CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University's softball team hits the road this weekend, as they travel to Charleston, Illinois, to face Ohio Valley Conference co-leader Eastern Illinois in a three-game series. 

The Governors (9-4, 4-2 OVC), who are tied for third in the league standings, open play versus the Panthers (12-5, 5-1 OVC), 1 p.m., Saturday for a doubleheader, followed by a 11 a.m. single game on Sunday to wrap the series up.

After 13 games this season, the Govs are led offensively by senior shortstop Brooke Pfefferle; who is hitting at a .429 clip this season, including two doubles, a triple, and a home run, to go with nine runs scored and six RBIs. 

Three other Governors are also hitting over .300 this season, starting with senior outfielder Bailey Shorter (.378, 1 HR, 8 RBI), senior pitcher/first baseman Kelsey Gross (.359, 1 HR, 16 RBI) and junior third baseman Lexi Osowski (.357, 2 2B, 1 HR, 9 RBI). 

The Panthers enter the weekend led at the plate by a pair of .400+ hitters in Katie Nicholson (.433, 0 HR,  RBI) and Morgan Lewis (.400, 0 HR, 4 RBI). 

In the circle, the Govs pitching staff was led by Gross, who is 4-0 this season, including a shutout, a save, with an overall 1.38 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 30.3 innings of work. 

Freshman Jordan Benefiel is 2-0 this season, with a 0.75 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 9.1 innings pitched, while junior Harley Mullins (3-4) has won her last two starts, including a shutout, and has two saves this season 

Eastern Illinois has four pitchers that have picked up wins this season, led by Jade Montgomery (5-4, 2.82 ERA, 30 K's), Olivia Price (3-1, 2.24 ERA, 11 K's) and Sydney Cammon (3-0, 5.15 ERA, 7 K's). 

Govs Hit and Run 

• The all-time series between Austin Peay and Eastern Illinois is the seventh-most played by the Governors 36-year history (58 games). 
• Govs senior pitcher Kelsey Gross has won her last 12 decisions without a loss. 
• Senior outfielder Kelsey Gray is coming off her best weekend of the season after going 4-for-8 versus Morehead State with three walks and four runs scored. 
• Freshman infielder Alyssa Archuleta picked up her first two hits of the season last weekend versus Morehead State. 
• Senior shortstop Brooke Pfefferle ranks second in the OVC in batting average (.429), while senior outfielder Bailey Shorter is 10^th (.378). 
• Senior Kelsey Gross is tied for third in the OVC with 16 RBIs, second in ERA (1.38) and third in pitching wins (4).