STARKVILLE, Miss. ? For the second straight night, Austin Peay found itself in an early hole it was unable to get out of and fell 10-2 at Mississippi State, Wednesday night, at Dudy Noble Field.

Following the script it wrote in Tuesday night's victory, Mississippi State (13-15) jumped out to an early lead on Austin Peay starter Matt Kole, scoring three runs in the first inning. The first three batters each reached on singles with the last of that trio of hits by third baseman Connor Powers scoring the game's first run.

The Govs defense then suffered a little bit of bad luck as they attempted to get an out at third on a sacrifice bunt, but could not get the out and loaded the bases. Kole surrendered a base on balls for another run and then a one-out sacrifice fly for the third run before he could get out of the inning.

The Bulldogs tacked on another run in the second inning and ? after a scoreless third frame ? added three more runs off APSU reliever Jeff Lykins after an error extended the inning.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay (12-13) loaded the bases in the second with two out, but could not score as Mississippi State starter Drew Hollinghead recorded a strikeout to end the threat. That strikeout was the first of seven consecutive batters retired by Hollinghead until walking first baseman Ryne Mantooth to start the fifth.

Mantooth's base on balls opened the door to the Govs breaking up the shutout bid. APSU would load the bases with two singles and an out. Second baseman Chad Cunningham's sacrifice fly got Mantooth home with the Govs first run. Third baseman Tyler Farrar followed with a single to center field that allowed catcher Trey Lucas to score just in front of the center fielder's throw, cutting the lead to 7-2.

Mississippi State got those two runs back and more in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs while sending another eight men to the plate to build a 10-2 advantage.

Kole (1-2), making his first career start, was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs on five hits over three innings. Relievers David Vicini and Daniel Tenholder combined to hold MSU scoreless over the final three innings. Farrar had the Govs only multi-hit effort with a 2-for-4 performance as APSU was limited to five hits.

Hollinghead (1-0) picked up the victory in his first collegiate start, holding the Govs to two runs on four hits and four walks over five innings. Left fielder Ryan Collins led the Bulldogs 14-hit attack with a 4-for-4, 3 RBI effort. Third baseman Connor Powers was 4-for-5 with two RBI.

Austin Peay returns home for three-game Ohio Valley Conference series against Morehead State. The Govs (2-4 OVC) series with Eagles (8-16, 1-5 OVC) begins with a 1 p.m., Saturday, doubleheader before concluding with a 1 p.m., Sunday, contest.

-AP-