NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's baseball team surrendered runs in each of the first six innings en route to a 7-2 loss at Lipscomb, Tuesday night, in non-conference action at Ken Dugan Field.

Lipscomb (27-25) scored two runs in the first inning and added single runs over the next five frames. Left fielder Blake Bratcher and designated hitter Justin Sanders each batted in runs in the first inning. First baseman Jared Picchiottino's leadoff home run in the second increased the lead to 3-0 before Austin Peay could post its first run.

Austin Peay (25-26) scored lone runs in both the third and fourth innings but had only 13 base runners in the contest ? with only seven through the first six innings. Designated hitter Chad Cunningham's sacrifice fly scored second baseman J.B. Gilbert who led off the third inning with a double. In the fourth, catcher Trey Lucas ? who led off the inning with a single ? scored on left fielder Josh Kemph's single.

However, the Govs were largely unable to solve Lipscomb starter Paul Piennette (2-3) who scattered seven hits over eight innings while striking out 10 on his way to the victory. He retired seven consecutive batters from the fourth through sixth innings, including striking out the side in order in the sixth.

Austin Peay starter Ryne Harper (3-3) was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits over the opening 2.1 innings.

Overall, 22 of the Govs 24 players saw action in the contest with only the two Govs starters from the Eastern Illinois series ? Stephen Huff and David Vicini ? not taking the field. The offense mustered seven hits, two from center fielder Rafael Hill.

Bratcher was 3-for-4 with two RBI to lead Lipscomb's eight-hit attack. Sanders added two RBI despite not posting a hit in four at-bats.

Austin Peay returns to action with a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series against Murray State. The series begins with a 4:30 p.m., Friday, doubleheader followed by a 1 p.m., Sunday, regular-season finale.

-AP-