CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's baseball team was shut out 3-0, at No. 21 Mississippi, Wednesday at O-M Stadium in Oxford, Miss. The Govs fall to 5-8 while the Rebels improve to 9-3.

Ole Miss starting pitcher Brett Bukvich (2-0) pitched a gem, allowing only three hits to the Govs while striking out six in 6.0 innings.

Austin Peay struggled offensively, managing only one base runner in the game's first four innings courtesy a Greg Bachman walk in the first inning. The Govs lacked the prowess at the plate they had shown in the past four games.

“We just didn't do anything offensively,” said Govs head coach Gary McClure. “We weren't aggressive at the plate and failed to make adjustments as the game went on. We didn't get runners on base and couldn't get into our running game. We got a strong pitching performance ? from (starter Ryne) Harper and the rest of the pen ? but just couldn't get any runs.”

Harper (1-2) picked up the loss, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out six in 6.0 innings. Ryne Mantooth and Daniel Tenholder pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only three hits in relief.

Ole Miss scored all of its runs in the third inning. Kevin Mort and Taylor Hightower singled to lead off the inning putting runners on first and second. Justin Henry then singled, and a throwing error by the Govs left fielder allowed Mort to score and advanced Hightower to third base. After a strikeout, Matt Smith singled through the left side and Logan Power's RBI-groundout set the final margin.

The Govs had few base runners in the game. Matt Kole singled through the right side in the fifth, but back-to-back fielders' choices ended the inning. Michael Blanchard singled to lead off the sixth, but ended up stranded at third base. In the seventh, Kole laced his second single, but the next batter hitter into a double-play.

Kole's 2-for-3 effort led the Govs, while Blanchard recorded the only other Govs hit.

Henry and Mort each had two hits for Ole Miss.

Austin Peay hosts Wisconsin-Milwaukee for four games, beginning with a noon, Friday, game at Raymond C. Hand Park.

-AP-