NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Austin Peay State University's baseball team last saw the field nine days ago but the layoff seemingly had little effect as it posted a 9-6 non-conference victory against Lipscomb, Tuesday night, at Dugan Field.

Austin Peay (20-28) had not played since a loss, May 3, at Tennessee Martin. The Govs took a week off for finals and then saw a weekend conference series against Eastern Illinois wiped out due to heavy rain at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Oddly enough, Austin Peay (20-28) did not need a hit to score the three eighth-inning runs that would prove decisive.  Leadoff hitter Michael Blanchard walked to start the inning and reached third after stealing second and advancing on the catcher's wild throw. He would later score on shortstop Jon Clinard's groundout, giving the Govs a 7-5 advantage with two outs.

Then things got strange. Left fielder Adam Browett reached base when Lipscomb's shortstop threw a ball into the dirt, denying a sure third out. Third baseman Greg Bachman reached after being hit by a pitch, placing two men on with two outs. Then Lipscomb's pitcher threw wide of first base in a failed pickoff attempt, allowing both runners to advance two bases, including Browett who scored. The scoring ended when catcher Trey Lucas struck out swinging only to reach on a wild pitch to the backstop, allowing Bachman to score the Govs ninth run.

Lipscomb (21-29) rallied back from a 6-1 deficit with a four-run seventh inning. Right fielder Antonio Butler belted a two-run single to right centerfield for the inning's first two runs. After a pitching change, the Bisons continued to apply pressure, resulting in shortstop Branden Cadavid's two-run double down the left field line, slashing the lead to 6-5 before the Govs responded in the eighth.

The Govs offense posted 11 hits on the evening with the heart of the order ? Bachman, Lucas and designated hitter Haskell Fink ? each recording two hits and two RBI.

Reliever Jeremy Dobbs (3-3), the third of six Govs pitchers, picked up the victory after tossing three scoreless innings. He held Lipscomb without a hit and countered his two walks allowed with three strikeouts. Closer Daniel Tenholder recorded the game's final four outs to pick up his season's eighth save.

Lipscomb starter Davey Hackett (0-3) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits over five-plus innings. Cadavid led the Bisons offense with a 2-for-4, three RBI outing.

Austin Peay closes out the regular-season when it meets Murray State in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series beginning with a 1 p.m., Friday, doubleheader.

NOTES: Sophomore right-hander Ryne Harper ? making his first start since April 18 ? threw 17 pitches in the first inning before making way for reliever Ryne Mantooth in the second... the win was Austin Peay's fifth road victory and they improved to 5-16 on the road.