ATLANTA - Austin Peay State University's baseball team surrendered six runs in the fourth inning en route to a 9-7 loss to Georgia State, Sunday afternoon, at the GSU Baseball Complex.

The Govs lost the three-game series at Georgia State, 2-1. It was their first series loss since Week 5 of the 2011 season, ending a streak of eight consecutive three-game series victories.

Austin Peay starter Casey Delgado struggled in his first pitching outing since opening day - a nine-day layoff that seemed to cause him trouble. He surrendered three runs in the first two innings as four of Georgia State's first five hits were of the extra base variety. Delgado seemingly settled in when he worked around a pair of walks in the third without surrendering a run.

Austin Peay (4-3) broke through in the fourth, scoring three runs with only one hit in the frame. Georgia State starter Tyler Claburn began the inning by hitting both catcher Matt Wollenzin and right fielder Rolando Gautier. He then struck out the next two batters he faced before walking center fielder Michael Blanchard to load the bases. Designated hitter Jon Clinard laced a single into center field, scoring two runs. Claburn helped the Govs tie the game with a wild pitch that allowed Blanchard to score.

Georgia State (5-3) rallied for six runs in its half of the fourth as Austin Peay had to use three pitchers to get out of the inning. Delgado allowed the first three batters he faced to reach, loading the bases and forcing him from the game. Reliever Zane Leffew was greeted by center fielder Kody Adams, who drove single down the left field line that allowed two runs to score.

After a failed sacrifice bunt, Georgia State loaded the bases again and the next three batters each drove in a run.  First baseman Brandon Williams started the rally with an RBI infield single, right fielder Jonathan Kolowich added a run on a sacrifice fly and left fielder Mark Hogan drove in two with his single. Hogan's hit drove Leffew from the game and reliever Lucas Anderson entered the game and had to work around an infield error before ending the frame with Georgia State leading, 9-3.

Anderson would go on to pitch 2.1 scoreless relief innings as the Govs bullpen finally silenced the Panthers offense. Reliever Chuck Edlin followed Anderson with a scoreless inning of relief and Kacy Kemmer closed the day with a scoreless eighth after working around the Govs second defensive error.

That effort by the bullpen gave the Govs an opportunity to charge back which they nearly did in the eighth. Again the first two APSU batters reached on walks and Clinard loaded the bases with a one-out single. Second baseman Jordan Hankins cleared the bases with a double to left field, slashing the deficit to 9-6.

Shortstop Reed Harper edged the Govs closer after he reached on an infield error that allowed Hankins to score.  However, the Govs rally would end there and they could not muster a challenge to Panthers closer Justin Malone who retired the side in order for his season's second save.

Delgado (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits over four-plus innings.

Clinard and third baseman Greg Bachman each had two hits to pace the Govs six-hit outing. Clinard finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Connor Stanley (2-0), the second of six Georgia State pitchers, nabbed the win with two scoreless innings. Designated hitter Joe Van Asch, Hogan and second baseman Roy Seltenrijch each had two hits as Georgia State posted 11 hits against the Govs pitching staff.

Austin Peay returns home to host the Riverview Inn Classic, Friday-Sunday, with Akron, Iowa and Youngstown State visiting Raymond C. Hand Park for the six-game round-robin event. Iowa and Akron kick off the tournament with an 11 a.m., Friday contest followed by the Govs and Youngstown State.

-AP-