CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University's baseball team had surrendered only one run after the eighth inning in its previous 11 games. However, the Govs saw that magic run out Friday night as they surrendered four runs in the 10th inning as Northern Illinois posted a 5-1 victory in the 2012 Riverview Inn Challenge at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Northern Illinois (1-11) outlasted an impressive start by Austin Peay's Ryan Quick, who went a season-long eight innings, and a scoreless inning from reliever Tyler Rogers.

In the 10th, Huskies leadoff hitter Jeff Zimmerman began the inning by reaching on a wild pitch. APSU reliever Chuck Edlin retired the next two batters he faced before permitting consecutive walks to load the bases.

The Govs turned to Mike Hebert to stifle the rally, but he surrendered a left-field double to NIU left fielder Jordan Rishavy which scored two runs. Austin Peay's defense furthered the Huskies cause with its only error of the game coming on the throw home, which sailed past home plate and allowed another run to score. Hebert would allow another run before inducing an inning-ending groundout but the Huskies led 5-1.

Austin Peay (8-4) was able to load the bases in its half of the 10th, utilizing back-to-back walks and a hit batsman to load the bases with two outs. Northern Illinois turned to Kyle Glancy to end the Govs rally and he did so, striking out Tyler Childress to end the game and record his season's first save.

For the fourth time this season, Austin Peay's Quick limited an opponent to two runs or less in a start, surrendering one run on six hits in eight innings of work against the Huskies. In addition, he seemingly got stronger as the game progressed, recording six of his eight strikeouts in his final three innings on the mound. However, for the third time in those four outings Quick was not a factor in the final decision.

"We got awesome pitching tonight," said Governors head coach Gary McClure. "I can't say enough of the performance Ryan gave us tonight. He struck out the last batter in two or three innings with a runner on base. He kept giving us chances to win the game."

Edlin (0-1) was tagged for the loss despite not allowing a hit, with two strikeouts and two walks in his 0.2 innings of work.

Austin Peay's offense was limited to seven hits. Harper finished 2-for-3 for the team's only multi-hit effort.

"Offensively we couldn't get anything done," said McClure. "We weren't able to move the baseball enough. As the game went on we had plenty of guys get to second base we just didn't get anything done. We didn't put it in play and make them make a play."

Northern Illinois' starter Tom Barry had a big role in denying the Govs offense, allowing one run on three hits over 6.1 innings and striking out five. The Huskies bullpen combined for seven strikeouts over the final 3.2 innings.

The Huskies Alex Klonowski was a factor at the plate and on the mound. He started the game at second base and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Klonowski (1-0) then pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in the ninth and 10th frames and notched the victory.

Austin Peay continues play in the Riverview Inn Challenge when it meets Dayton in a 2:30 p.m., Saturday contest. Northern Illinois and Arkansas State will meet in the day's 11 a.m. contest.

-AP-