KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Falling behind early is never a good thing, especially when it's against a team the caliber of Tennessee, but unfortunately that's what the Austin Peay softball team did Wednesday night, as the Lady Govs lost to the No. 17-ranked Lady Vols, 10-0.

Austin Peay (5-15) gave up five first-inning runs to Tennessee, as the Lady Vols sent 11 batters to the plate, while collecting six hits and drawing two walks.

Tennessee (20-5) would score four more runs in the bottom of the second inning, this time sending 10 batters to the plate - aided by three Lady Govs errors and walks - while recording three hits.

Shelby Burchell led the early offensive attack for the Lady Vols collecting two hits - including a double - while driving in four.

Tennessee would score its final run of the night in the bottom of the third inning, which came on Tiffany Huff's third home run of the season.

Austin Peay picked up its only two hits of the game in the top of the fourth inning on sophomore Catie Cozart's one-out single up the middle and senior Brittany Williams' two-out single to left field.

The Lady Govs only other runner came in the top of the first inning, when sophomore transfer Amy Mills reached on an error by Tennessee second baseman Nicole Kajitani.

Austin Peay returns to action this Saturday and Sunday, as they open Ohio Valley Conference play at Lady Govs Field by hosting Tennessee Tech for a three-game series.

--AP--