CHARLESTON, Ill. - Opportunity knocked but Austin Peay State University's baseball team was unable to answer the call, dropping both ends of an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader, 2-0 and 4-3, to Eastern Illinois, Friday at Coaches Stadium.

Austin Peay (14-12, 2-3 OVC) could not get its offense on track in either contest, mustering just two hits in the day's first game before rapping out seven hits in the second contest. Despite the lack of hit production, the Govs still had opportunities to take the lead in both contests' final inning.

In the opener, Eastern Illinois starter Mike Recchia handcuffed the Govs through the first five innings, allowing one hit and retiring 10 consecutive batters and 14 of 16. He ran into some control issues in the sixth inning, walking the first two batters he faced, but induced consecutive fielder's choices to wipe out the free passes. Still battling, Recchia walked APSU catcher Trey Lucas to load the bases, but got out of the jam with a fly out.

The Govs kept the pressure on in the eighth in ninth innings. In the eighth, they put two runners in scoring position, forcing Recchia out of the contest, but could not get a much needed hit off reliever Matt Miller.

In the ninth, the Govs had runners on second and third with two out when Daniel Baggett came up in a pinch hitting role and with a 2-2 count he lined a pitch down the left field line, clearing the fence. However, the third base umpire ruled the ball foul, negating a potential go-ahead home run. Baggett swung through the next pitch, ending the game.

Eastern Illinois (6-19, 2-3 OVC) scored in the first inning on doubles by third baseman Zach Borenstein and first baseman Alex Gee, and didn't look back. Recchia (3-2), the OVC's Preseason Co-Pitcher of the Year, threw 7.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out seven. Roark picked up his season's first save with the game's final two outs.

Austin Peay starter Ricky Marshall (4-3) was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings.

The Govs began the day's second game using aggressive base running to score runs in the second and third innings. Designated hitter Cody Hudson opened the second with a single, stole second and then stole third base, inducing a bad throw by the EIU catcher and allowing him to scamper home. In the third, second baseman Jon Clinard hit a leadoff double, stole second behind an unaware third baseman and scored on right fielder Jared DeLong's groundout.

But Austin Peay's defense surrendered three runs courtesy a pair of errors in the third inning. Dineen got the Govs problems started when he bunted with one out and catcher Trey Lucas' throw to first base went wide, allowing him to reach second base. Catcher Gerik Wallsten followed by reaching on another error, allowing Dineen to score.

APSU starter Ryne Harper got a second out, but could not escape the inning as Borenstein doubled  and left fielder Ben Thomas rapped a two-run single, giving EIU a 3-2 lead. Borenstein added the Panthers fourth run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Austin Peay had its opportunity to take the lead in the final inning. Hudson opened the inning by reaching courtesy an error and center fielder Daniel Baggett laced a single through the left side, chasing EIU starter Mike Hoekstra.

Roark came on in relief and with his first move picked off Hudson at second base. After pinch hitter Michael Blanchard sacrificed Baggett to second base, the Govs sent pinch hitter John Hogan kept the inning alive with a two-out infield single. Roark then walked Clinard to load the bases.

DeLong lined a ball through the middle, easily scoring Baggett. The Govs sent pinch runner Chris Lewellyn home as the potential game-tying run, but he was caught at home on a throw from center field, ending the game.

Hoekstra (2-1) picked up the victory after holding the Govs to three runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out five over six-plus innings. Roark picked up his second save with the game's final three outs.

Harper (3-1) suffered his season's first loss after allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits over 4.1 innings.

Austin Peay and Eastern Illinois conclude their three-game league series with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest.