CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Austin Peay's softball held off a late charge by Eastern Illinois Sunday afternoon, as the Lady Govs defeated the Panthers in its Ohio Valley Conference finale, 6-5, to send its four seniors out on a high note.

For Austin Peay (15-38, 4-19 OVC) it was the third win in its last four games, to close out the season, with seniors Lacey Briscoe, Ashley Elrod, Krista Henke and Ashley Taylor being honored before the game.

The Lady Govs got out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Brittany Williams, driving in pinch runner Detra Farley – who came in to run for Tiffany Smith – who had reached on an error by EIU (25-27, 9-14 OVC) shortstop Sarah Coppert.

The Panthers would tie the game 1-1 in the top if the second on an RBI double by Megan Nelson, driving in pinch runner Maria Sorrentino.

Austin Peay would answer back by scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning to retake the lead 6-1.

It was the wildness of Panthers starting pitcher Kathleen Jacoby that helped get things going for Austin Peay, as the senior right-hander walked Randal Davenport, Catie Cozart and Jessica Ryan to load the bases with only one out.

Samantha Butts drove in Davenport with a sacrifice fly to center making it 2-1, with Cozart scoring on a wild pitch for a 3-1 lead – following a walk to Taylor.
Smith then singled to left field scoring Ryan and Taylor making it 5-1.

Smith would advance to second on the throw home and score on Daniella Hooper's single for a 6-1 advantage.

The Panthers, who were still fighting for a spot in the OVC postseason tournament, didn't go down without a fight, as EIU scored twice in the third cutting APSU's lead to 6-3 on an RBI double by Melinda Jackson and a RBI single by Sorrentino.

EIU would keep the pressure on the Lady Govs making it 6-4 in the fourth, on an RBI single by Coppert, while cutting the margin to one, 6-5 in the sixth on a RBI single by Hailee Hanna.

But that would be as close as the Panthers would get, as Lady Govs relief pitcher Abby Mabry would retire six of the final seven hitters she faced to pick up her first save of the season.

Meagan Williams got the win in relief, replacing Elrod – who got the start – in the third inning.

-AP-