CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? For the second time this season, Austin Peay State University baseball team lost courtesy a walk-off home run, this time an 8-7 loss at No. 21 Mississippi, Tuesday night. The Govs fall to 5-7 overall while the Rebels improve to 8-3.

David Phillips delivered the game-winning blow as a pinch-hitter leading off in the bottom of the ninth. Govs reliever Jake Brisbin (1-1) was tagged for loss after allowing the game-winning blow.

Trailing, 7-5, heading into the top of the ninth inning, Austin Peay needed two runs to force the bottom. Ole Miss brought in reliever Scott Bittle to slam the door on the Govs, but lay down they did not. Bittle struck out the Govs first batter, but Chris Lewellyn worked a full count and singled his way on base. Lewellyn promptly stole second and Ryne Mantooth delivered a pinch-hit RBI-single.

Andrew Clement came on to pinch run for Mantooth and stole second to move into scoring position. A line-drive single by Michael Blanchard bounced right to an Ole Miss outfielder, leaving Clement stuck at third. The Govs worked a squeeze play to score him on a bunt by Greg Bachman, tying the game, 7-7, before a fly-out and strike out ended the inning.

“Jack Snodgrass did a really good job keeping them under control tonight,” head coach Gary McClure said.  “Offensively, we hit the ball hard, but a lot of them went right at them. We're swinging the bats well and we're stealing bases and with those things combined, we compete really well. A loss is a loss, but we felt like we could've won tonight. This makes tomorrow's game even more important because we feel like we can get one from them.”

The Rebels took an early 3-0 lead, scoring on an RBI-bunt single, a fielder's choice and a double to left. Austin Peay answered and led briefly after posting five runs in the top of the fifth. However, Ole Miss answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the sixth off Govs reliever Stephen Huff.

Lewellyn led the Govs at the plate going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases. Blanchard added  a 2-for-4 effort, while Bachman finished 1-for-4 with two RBI. Jack Snodgrass made the start for the Govs, going 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out five.

Bittle (1-1) pitched the final inning, allowing two runs on three hits for Mississippi. Matt Smith led the Rebels at the plate, going 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Kevin Mort added a 3-for-4 effort.

The Govs and Rebels return to O-M Stadium for a 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, game to close out the mid-week set. Austin Peay righthander Ryne Harper is set to face UM lefthander Brett Bukvich.

-AP-