STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Austin Peay's softball team gave the No. 18-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs a battle Saturday at the Bulldog Classic, as the Lady Govs had a chance to upset the tournament hosts, before falling 3-1.

Austin Peay (2-6), who lost to Mississippi State (19-4) in an eight-run rule game two weekends ago in Georgia, had the tying run at the plate in the seventh inning before the Bulldogs got the final out to secure the victory.

Mississippi State scored single runs in first and seconds innings, with errors by the Lady Govs helping the Bulldogs to score, but APSU settled down giving up only one more run in the final five innings.

Redshirt sophomore starting pitcher Ashley Elrod (1-4) had a lot to do with that, scattering seven Bulldog hits, while striking out four.

Despite trailing 3-0 going into the bottom of the seventh the Lady Govs didn't quit, as freshman left fielder Janea McCoy opened the inning drawing a walk and one out later scoring on a double to left by Elrod.

Elrod would get as far as third, before Mississippi State got freshman right fielder Randal Davenport to ground out to end the game.

Along with Elrod's double, the Lady Govs also got hits from sophomores Meagan Williams, Ashley Taylor and Brittany Williams.

The Lady Govs will conclude play at the Bulldog Classic Sunday, as the Lady Govs face Charleston Southern at 10 a.m., before closing out the tournament with a rematch against Mississippi State at 4 p.m.

Note: Austin Peay's first tournament game Saturday against Louisiana Tech was cancelled because of snow on the field.