RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team will open conference play this weekend with a three game series at Austin Peay. The Colonels (9-5), who took two of three from the Governors last year in Richmond, are in the midst of a six game win streak, their longest streak since 2005.

EKU’s win streak has been fueled primarily by its offense. The Colonels, who were picked to finish eighth in the OVC before the season began, enter the weekend as the top hitting team in the league with a .358 batting average. They have also exhibited great team speed in 2009, as they lead the OVC with 14 triples and 39 stolen bases.

Senior Matt Davis has paced the Colonel offense from the leadoff spot. The speedy center fielder is second in the OVC with a .474 batting average, and leads the conference in runs (26) and stolen bases (10). Davis has also blasted two home runs, three triples, six doubles and driven in 13 runs. He is in the midst of an 11 game hit streak.

Sophomore Jayson Langfels is sixth in the conference with a .431 batting average; however, the third baseman from Lexington has made a name for himself this year as a clutch performer. Langfels began the Colonels’ current six game win streak with a walk-off home run against Bucknell, and he continued it this week with a walk-off home run against in-state rival Western Kentucky. He leads the Colonels with five home runs and 21 RBI, and he recently tied the EKU record for triples in a career with 12.

EKU’s undermanned pitching staff has also been solid during the streak, recording a team ERA of 4.85 and holding opposing batters to a .289 batting average. Different pitchers have picked up wins in each of the Colonels’ last six wins.

APSU enters the weekend with a record of 8-10. The Governors are led by Greg Bachman (.365 batting average) and Matt Kole (.364 batting average).

The Colonels’ probable rotation for the weekend is RHP Chris Hord (1-1), RHP Jim Clancy (1-0) and LHP Paul Duncan (2-2).

APSU is slated to send out RHP Ryne Harper, LHP Jack Snodgrass and RHP Ricky Marshall in that order.

Saturday’s doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. The final game of the series on Sunday will also begin at 2:00 p.m.