CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Junior catcher Trey Lucas picked an opportune time for his season's first home run ? his two-run blast in the eighth inning providing the margin of victory in Austin Peay State University baseball team's 7-5 victory against SIU Edwardsville, Friday night, in non-conference action at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Lucas' blast gave Austin Peay (11-17) a three-run, 7-4 cushion which they would test in the ninth. Closer Daniel Tenholder entered the game and struck out the first batter he faced. However, he surrendered back-to-back up the middle singles ? the second scoring a run after a wild pitch ? before inducing the inning's second out. An error extended the inning and a walk loaded the bases before Tenholder got the ground out he was seeking to end the game.

SIU Edwardsville (5-16) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with solo runs in the first and second innings. Austin Peay took it's first lead with a three-run second inning that included a two-run single by shortstop Jon Clinard. The Cougars rallied back to tie the game, 3-3, in the third on first baseman Michael Hopkins solo home run.

Austin Peay scored in the sixth, but could not hold the lead and surrendered a run in the seventh. The Govs took the lead for good in the seventh courtesy a Cougars error that led to a run, giving APSU a 5-4 lead it would not relinquish.

APSU reliever Ricky Marshall (3-2) picked up the victory after allowing one run on one hit while striking out four over 1.2 innings. Tenholder recorded his season's fifth save. Starter Stephen Huff surrendered three runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings.

Offensively, third baseman Greg Bachman led the Govs with a 3-for-4 outing. Clinard finished the night 2-for-4 with two RBI and Lucas was 1-for-4 with the home run.

SIU Edwardsville reliever Brian Lorenz (1-1) was tagged for the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits over 2.2 innings. Hopkins led the Cougars offense with a 3-for-5, RBI performance.

Austin Peay and SIU Edwardsville continue their three-game non-conference tilt with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest.