RICHMOND, Ky. ? Austin Peay State University surrendered six runs in the final three innings and lost, 7-3, to Eastern Kentucky in the Ohio Valley Conference series finale between the two teams. The Colonels won the series, 2-1.

Tied 1-1 after five and a half innings, Austin Peay starter Ryne Mantooth got into trouble in the sixth, permitting three base runners to reach with one out ? two courtesy a base on balls and one after being hit by a pitch. EKU designated hitter Matt Davis capitalized on the free passes with a two-run single. After another batter was hit by a pitch to load the bases again, left fielder Ryan Faidley pushed across another run with a single. The Govs would get out of the inning with a fielder's choice ? which wiped a runner out at home ? and a flyout, but trailed 4-1.

Austin Peay (9-9, 1-2 OVC) got one of those runs back in the seventh on first baseman Matt Kole's solo home run. The Govs would load the bases on shortstop Greg Bachman's double which was followed by consecutive walks, but center fielder Rafael Hill hit into a fielder's choice to end the threat.

But they surrendered that run in the bottom of the inning when right fielder Dylan McMaine responded with a solo shot of his own.

The Govs scored again in the eighth after leftfielder Joshua Kemph led off with a walk. Third baseman Tyler Farrar hit a ball off the wall in the deepest part of the park, but was able to only record a single as Kemph was held to second after checking up on the fly ball. That limited the Govs to just one run in the frame as right fielder Will Hogue's fly ball to deep right field was brought back into the ballpark by McMaine, preventing a home run, but allowing Kemph to score.

Eastern Kentucky (9-8-1, 2-1 OVC) added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth as Austin Peay committed a pair of errors on one play in the frame. The Govs would load the bases in the ninth, courtesy a pair of walks and a double, but saw the game end on a line drive double play.

Austin Peay starter Ryne Mantooth (3-1) was tagged for his season's first loss after allowing four runs on four hits and five walks over six innings. Bachman and catcher Trey Lucas each had two hits as the Govs managed only seven hits in the contest.

EKU starter Chris Grider (2-1) picked up the victory after holding APSU to two runs on four hits while striking out six over 6.1 innings. Centerfielder Aaron Barrows and Faidley each had two hits for the Colonels.

Austin Peay returns to action when it meets Memphis in a 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, contest at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. It will be the season's only meeting between the two teams that met in last season's Nashville Regional.

-AP-