EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Austin Peay and SIU Edwardsville had a pitcher's duel brewing when Mother Nature stepped in and forced a suspension of action with SIU Edwardsville holding a 1-0 lead in the middle of the sixth inning.

Austin Peay and SIU Edwardsville will return to the field at 10 a.m. today to complete Friday night's contest. The two teams will then begin their scheduled doubleheader, with a nine-inning contest followed by a seven-inning contest.

Governors' starter Jeremy Dobbs surrendered a first-inning run after the Cougars got their first two runners on base and then executed a delayed double steal to post the game's only run. After allowing that first-inning hit, Dobbs retired 12 consecutive batters before allowing a two-out single in the fifth.

Austin Peay was unable to post a run against SIU Edwardsville starter Josh Malin who tossed six scoreless innings while scattering eight hits. The Govs best scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning when they got runners on the corners with one out, but Malin got right fielder Rolando Gautier to ground into a double play, ending the threat.

Soon after, lightning forced a postponement of action and game officials soon decided to suspend the game to allow the teams and spectators to find shelter from the severe weather that threatened the St. Louis area.

-AP-