CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? After falling behind early, Austin Peay State University's baseball team rallied then held on to post a 9-8 non-conference victory against Vanderbilt, Tuesday night, at Raymond C. Hand Park. It is the Govs first victory against the Commodores since May 1, 2002 ? snapping a 12-game losing streak in the series.

Austin Peay (16-21) fell behind 5-1 after two innings as Vanderbilt took advantage of three walks and three hit batsmen in those two frames issued by APSU starter Jeremy Dobbs. The Govs began their rally in the third with catcher Trey Lucas' two-run home run which slashed the lead to 5-3.

The Govs sent nine men to the plate in the fourth. Right fielder Jared DeLong led off and was hit by a pitch. Shortstop Jon Clinard reached on a single, chasing Vanderbilt starter Sean Bierman. Reliever Nick Christiani struck out the first batter he faced but yielded a run on a fielder's choice to left fielder Adam Browett. Third baseman Greg Bachman then reached on an error, bringing home another run. The Govs took the lead on first baseman Matt Kole's RBI fielder's choice, capping the three-run frame with Austin Peay leading, 6-3.

Austin Peay added another run in the fifth, centerfielder Michael Blanchard rapping a two-out triple and scoring on a wild pitch. Vanderbilt countered with an unearned run in the sixth on the Govs second error of the contest. The Govs scored two more crucial runs in the seventh, both following a Vanderbilt error, setting the lead at 9-6 after seven frames.

Vanderbilt (23-17) narrowed the deficit with an unearned run in the eighth. Shortstop Brian Harris reached on a dropped popout and would later score on designated hitter Curt Casali's RBI single, chasing reliever Ricky Marshall. Closer Daniel Tenholder entered the game and sandwiched a hit batter between two fly outs to end the threat.

But the Governors fourth error of the contest in the ninth set up another Commodores scoring threat. Tenholder issued a leadoff walk and then got to two outs with the runner not advancing. He seemingly induced the final out on a line drive but it was mishandled, allowing the runner to reach base and extend the inning. Centerfielder Steven Liddle made the Govs pay, slashing an RBI single to right field. Tenholder responded quickly, striking out the next batter looking to end the contest.

APSU reliever Ryne Mantooth (2-4) picked up the victory after tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing three hits and striking out three. Tenholder pitched the final 2.1 innings, allowing one unearned run and striking out two for his season's sixth save.

Offensively, the Govs rapped out 13 hits, six different players posting two-hit outings. Lucas finished the night 2-for-3 with two RBI and Bachman was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Austin Peay also recorded six stolen bases in the contest, Browett posting three thefts.

Christiani (3-3) was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits over four innings. Right fielder Andrew Giobbi was 1-for-5 with a team-best three RBI while second baseman Riley Reynolds had three hits to pace the Commodores 10-hit attack.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 6 p.m., Wednesday contest against Belmont at Greer Stadium in Nashville.