CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's baseball team went to extra innings for the first time this season and posted a 6-5 victory in the first game of a doubleheader at East Tennessee, Wednesday afternoon.

Down 4-2 going into the ninth, the Govs plated three runs to take a 5-4 lead. Left fielder Will Hogue and second baseman Greg Bachman rapped back-to-back singles to get the inning started. With one out, shortstop J.B. Gilbert pushed across the inning's first run with an RBI-groundout. Center Rafael Hill followed with an RBI-double and scored on left fielder Chad Cunningham's single.

East Tennessee tied the game in its half of the ninth with three consecutive singles. The first two chased APSU reliever Matt Kole and the third ? off reliever Daniel Tenholder ? brought home the tying run. Tenholder cleaned up the mess quickly getting a strikeout and pop out to end the inning.

In the extra frame, the Govs again got back-to-back singles to start the inning ? this time from Tenholder and his batterymate Trey Lucas. One out later, Bachman walked to load the bases. First baseman Ryan Gilboy hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Tenholder.

Tenholder would make that lone run stand up, striking out the Buccaneers in order in the bottom of the tenth for his season's first victory.

Six different APSU hitters posted RBI's in the contest as Hill, Hogue and Bachman each rapped out 10 hits. Starting pitcher Ryne Harper struck out eight batters in six innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk.

ETSU reliever Dustin Plumlee (0-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in one-plus inning of work. Centerfielder Ryan Self had the game's lone home run as part of a 2-for-4, two RBI effort.

The two teams continue their doubleheader this afternoon.

- AP -