CHARLESTON, Ill. – (ESPN Clarksville) Catcher David Martinez’ three-run home run in the third inning gave Austin Peay State University’s baseball team a lead it would not relinquish on the way to a 6-3 Ohio Valley Conference victory against Eastern Illinois, Sunday, at Coaches Stadium.

Austin Peay (29-20, 19-8 OVC) swept the three-game OVC series against Eastern Illinois to remain tied atop the league standings with Jacksonville State, which swept its three-game series against SIUE. That tie will be broken in a winner-take-all three-game series when the Governors host the Gamecocks, Thursday-Saturday, on Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Eastern Illinois (24-27, 13-17 OVC) grabbed its first lead in the series – and ultimately its only lead of the series – when it loaded the bases in the first inning on a pair of walks and a single. Catcher Ryan Knernshield beat out a potential inning-ending double play, which allowed a run to score for a 1-0 lead.

The Governors mounted their response two innings later. Left fielder Aaron Campbell tied the game with a double to drive in third baseman Gino Avros. Martinez followed and hit a fly ball that found its way over the wall in right center for a three-run home run and a 4-1 lead. Second baseman Malcolm Tipler would add another run with a single that drove in designated hitter Matt Joslin for a 5-1 lead.

Austin Peay starter Ryan Kouba (4-0) would take advantage of the run support to post a five-inning outing that saw him allow two runs on four hits. The Governors bullpen took over and would allow one run on two hits over the final four innings. Greg Leban would strike out five of the six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings before closer Brett Newberg notched his seventh save with a hitless ninth.

Joslin would lead Austin Peay’s offense with a 3-for-5 outing, scoring once. Shortstop Garrett Kueber also had two hits and six other Govs hitters posted a base hit each.

Austin Peay opens its four-game homestand, which includes the OVC set with Jacksonville State, with a 6 p.m., Tuesday contest against Western Kentucky. Tickets for each game of the upcoming homestand may be purchased online by visiting LetsGoPeay.com/buytickets.