CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. ? Six errors, including a three-error seventh inning, wrecked the Austin Peay State University baseball team's chances at a Ohio Valley Conference series sweep as they fell 10-9 to Southeast Missouri, Sunday afternoon, at Capaha Field.

The Govs (21-22, 9-9 OVC) rallied to tie the game, 9-9, after five innings and watched reliever Jake Brisbin throw two scoreless innings and Matt Kole another to maintain the tie into the seventh frame.

But in the seventh, Austin Peay committed an error to allow left fielder Justin Wheeler ? the leadoff hitter ? to reach. Then, Southeast Missouri center fielder Nick Harris laid down a sacrifice bunt, but Kole was unable to catch the bunt, allowing Harris to reach base ? putting runners on first and second with no outs.

Kole made way for Jeff Hughes who immediately induced a ground ball to third base, but the Govs defense did not go after the lead runner, attempting instead to go for the double play. The throw to second got the runner, but no relay could be attempted, placing men at the corners. The Redhawks second baseman Zak Blemker put down a safety squeeze and Wheeler scored as the throw from Hughes landed at the catcher's knees. Hughes recovered with consecutive strikeouts to end the inning with SEMO leading, 10-9.

Southeast Missouri reliever Lance Rhodes (2-3) picked up the victory after throwing five scoreless innings while striking out five. After the Redhawks captured the lead, Rhodes retired the side in order in both the eighth and ninth innings.

Kole (1-4) was left with the loss after allowing the one unearned run in one-plus inning of work. The Govs used six pitchers in the affair who were responsible for six earned runs on the day as six different defensive players committed the team's six errors.

Offensively, the Govs had 15 hits ? their best hits total since April 8th at Tennessee. Center fielder Rafael Hill, third baseman Greg Bachman and Kole each had three hits ? Hill and Bachman each posting two RBI.

Southeast Missouri (18-18, 8-8) needed only nine hits to post the victory, center fielder Tony Spencer, Wagner and right fielder Blake Slattery each finishing with two hits.

Austin Peay takes next week off for semester finals, and return to action with a three-game league set against Tennessee-Martin at Raymond C. Hand Park. The series begins with a 1 p.m., Saturday, doubleheader before concluding with a 1 p.m., Sunday, contest.

-AP-