BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ? Down by two runs after the sixth inning, Austin Peay State University's baseball team fought back but could not hold off Samford in a 7-5 Ohio Valley Conference loss, Sunday, at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

The loss was Austin Peay's fifth straight and they fall to 15-18 overall and 5-7 in league play. Samford improves to 21-11 overall and remains atop the OVC standings at 9-2 overall.

Down 5-3 going into the seventh, Austin Peay was finally able to string together some hits with runners on base. First baseman Matt Kole started the rally when he reached on a one-out base on balls. Right fielder Will Hogue followed with a single and catcher Trey Lucas loaded the bases with his single. Shortstop Greg Bachman pushed across a run on a sacrifice fly and pinch hitter J.B. Gilbert tied the game with a single.

However, Samford responded immediately with shortstop Michael Marseco's leadoff home run ? his season's second ? to break the tie. The Bulldogs would add an insurance run when left fielder John Morgan's infield single glanced off a diving Govs defender to allow the runner at second to score.

The Govs jumped out to an initial two-run lead after sending seven men to the plate in the first. With the bases loaded, Lucas reached on an infield hit, pushing home a run, but the second baseman's throw home went wide of the plate, permitting a second run to score.

Samford capitalized on an Austin Peay misplay and the resulting mayhem to score three times in the second. Designated hitter Tripp Swann hit a line drive into right field and Hogue attempted to scoop the ball on a short hop but missed as the ball rolled to the fence, allowing a run to score and Swann to reach third. First baseman Michael Rodriguez capitalized disorder by hitting the first pitch he saw for a two-run home run, putting the Bulldogs ahead, 3-2.

The Bulldogs added two more runs in fourth when they sent seven men to the plate as five consecutive batters reached base. The Govs narrowed the deficit to 5-3 in the sixth as an error on left fielder Josh Kemph's line drive to center field allowed designated hitter Daniel Baggett to scamper home all the way from first base.

APSU reliever Matt Kole (1-4) surrendered the game-winning home run to Marseco and was tagged for the loss. Starter Ryne Mantooth surrendered five runs over 5.1 innings with five hits, four walks and three batters hit by pitch.

The Govs offense pounded out 12 hits, but only three came with runners in scoring position as they stranded 11 base runners. Baggett was 3-for-3 and Lucas 2-for-4 to lead the offensive effort.

Kyle Nichols (1-2) picked up the victory after holding the Govs scoreless over the final 2.1 innings. Samford's offense needed just eight hits to produce its seven runs, Rodriguez finishing 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts Belmont in a 6 p.m., Tuesday, non-conference affair at Raymond C. Hand Park.

-AP-