NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Austin Peay's softball team dug an early hole, by giving up four unearned runs in the first two innings, in its Ohio Valley Conference game against Tennessee State on Thursday afternoon, on its way to a 10-1 loss to the Tigers.

The Lady Govs (8-28, 3-11 OVC) saw TSU open the bottom of the first by getting its first two hitters on via a walk and a single up the middle against Lady Govs starter Morgan Brewer (5-10), but it was the two errors that followed that proved to be costly.

With runners at first and second, Brittany Webb grounded a ball to the Lady Govs red-shirt freshman shortstop Kristin Whitmire who tried to get the lead runner at third, but her throw hit the TSU runner in the back and ricochet away allowed her to score all the way around from second for the 1-0 lead.

A throwing error by junior catcher Amy Mills would follow, on a steal of third by Jasmine Brimm, with Brimm coming in to make it 2-0 Tennessee State (10-30, 4-13 OVC).

The second inning was almost a repeat for the Lady Govs, as the Tigers got their first two hitters on with back-to-back singles, but a wild throw on a bunt attempt allowed the third run in for the Tigers, while a second error and a passed ball led to the second unearned run of the inning, and fourth overall in the game.

Tennessee State would score its first earned runs of the game in the third inning, scoring six runs on three hits -- including two home runs - a hit batter and three walks, with the Lady Govs using three pitchers in the inning.

Austin Peay would score its lone run in the top of the fourth, as red-shirt sophomore Shelby Norton opened the inning by drawing a walk and moved to second base on a ground out and third base on an error by Tennessee State on a ground ball off the bat of senior Tiffany Smith.

Norton would score on a single to left field by red-shirt sophomore Jessica Ryan.

But that would be as close as the Lady Govs would get, as TSU starter Caitlin Eaton (7-12) got out of the fourth and fifth innings without giving up any more damage for the 10-1 win.

Overall, along with Ryan's RBI single, juniors Catie Cozart, Mills and freshman Lauren de Castro had hits for the Lady Govs.

--AP--