MARTIN - Austin Peay's baseball team committed three errors in the eighth inning and dropped its season finale, 7-6, to UT Martin, Saturday, at Skyhawk Field.

Austin Peay (30-22, 17-6 OVC) jumped out to a 5-0 lead through six innings. First baseman John Hogan's leadoff home run in the second put the Govs on the board. One inning later, Austin Peay scored three runs - two courtesy third baseman Greg Bachman's single and another on Hogan's single. Second baseman Jordan Hankins added the fifth run courtesy a solo home run in the sixth.

For the second straight day, UT Martin (19-34, 10-13) took advantage of the Austin Peay bullpen and was aided by an uncharacteristic performance by the APSU defense. The Skyhawks struck for three runs in the seventh with the first three batters reaching base and scoring on a double by second baseman Trey Karlen, a single by first baseman Drew Mason and a fielder's choice by right fielder Jordan Owen, cutting the lead to 5-3.

But it was a wild eighth inning that turned the tide for good. It started innocuously enough with a leadoff single and a strikeout before APSU reliever Mike Hebert departed to make way for closer Ryne Harper. However, he surrendered a double into the right center gap that led to mayhem on the basepaths as left fielder Erik Larsen reached third base and fell to the ground in foul territory. After the umpires met briefly it was ruled Larsen was obstructed by third baseman Shayne Martin and awarded home for the inning's first run.

Harper continued to struggle and surrendered the game-tying run on Karlen's single. He seemingly caught his bearing and recorded the second out of the frame. Harper then proceeded to induce the ground ball he needed to get out of the inning, but shortstop Reed Harper's throw was wide of first base and forced Hogan to move to his right in an attempt to keep the ball from sailing into the dugout. Instead, he and the runner collided and the go-ahead run scored.

After some time tending to Hogan who was shaken up on the play, Harper issued a walk to first baseman Drew Mason, placing men on first and second. Right fielder Jordan Owen singled up the middle and Reed Harper knocked the ball down behind second base and recovered and attempted to tag the runner advancing to second base, but missed the tag. He then threw home attempting to get the runner advancing from third but his throw sailed high as the run scored and the runners each advanced one base.

That ended the day for Ryne Harper and reliever Chuck Edlin entered the game and threw one pitch and induced an inning-ending ground out. However, the damage was done with the Skyhawks scoring four runs in the inning and taking a 7-5 lead.

Austin Peay threatened in the ninth, left fielder Cody Hudson driving a ball over the head of the center fielder for a one-out triple. Third baseman Shayne Martin then proceeded to drive a ball past the third baseman to score Hudson and bring the Govs within one run. But the rally ended as right fielder Rolando Gautier lined out to the third baseman who threw to first and caught Martin off base to end the game.

Ryne Harper (5-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing three runs (one earned) in one-third of an inning. Govs starter Zach Toney saw his start go for naught despite holding the Skyhawks to two runs over six-plus innings.

UTM starter Alex Mills posted career-bests in innings pitched (8.1) and strikeouts (7) and allowed six runs. Reliever Alex Boshers notched his season's first save by inducing the game-ending double play.

Gautier and Hogan each had two hits to lead the Govs 10-hit attack. Bachman was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Reed Harper was held hitless and saw his hit streak stopped at 29 games, the third longest by an APSU player since 1996.

Karlen led the Skyhawks offense with a 2-for-5, two RBI performance. Mason had a 4-for-4, one RBI outing and Owen finished the day 2-for-5 and the Skyhawks pounded out 14 hits.

Austin Peay now begins preparations for the OVC Baseball Championship and will play an opponent to be determined at 7 p.m., Thursday at Pringles Park in Jackson.

-AP-