CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University's baseball team saw a rare sub-par pitching performance combine with another sluggish offensive outing in a 12-1 loss to Dayton, Saturday, in the Riverview Inn Challenge at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Austin Peay starter Zach Toney had little trouble through three innings, surrendering only a solo home run to Dayton's A.J. Ryan in the second inning in a stretch where he retired nine of 10 batters.  The Govs offense recovered that run in the third on shortstop Reed Harper's RBI single, tying the game 1-1.

However, Dayton (3-9) solved Toney in the fourth inning. Center fielder Bobby Glover's leadoff triple caromed off the top of the wall in left field and sparked a flurry of activity by the Flyers. Two batters later second baseman Mel Skochdopole batted in Glover followed by Ryan's two-run single.

Austin Peay (8-5) nearly escaped further trouble after designated hitter Mike Coughlin's sacrifice fly pushed the Dayton lead to 5-1. First baseman Matt Wollenzin recorded the second out on a shovel pass to home plate on an attempted squeeze bunt, negating a run. But Toney walked the next batter he faced before surrendering a three-run home run to shortstop Brian Blasik which broke the game open. Toney would leave after allowing a single to the 10th batter of the inning.

Meanwhile, Dayton starter Mike Hauschild (2-1) threw a masterful outing, striking out eight Govs hitters while allowing one run on three hits over seven innings en route to the win. The Flyers two relievers - Bryce Lahrman and Matthew Mitchell - threw a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively to secure the win.

Toney (1-2) suffered the loss after allowing eight runs on six hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. Reliever Lucas Anderson allowed one unearned run over 2.1 innings to stem the Flyers run. Leffew followed and allowed three runs (two earned) in the seventh followed by scoreless innings from Brock Boyher and Mike Hebert.

Austin Peay's offense was held to a season-low three hits, two coming off the bat of left fielder Jon Clinard who was 2-for-4. Shortstop Reed Harper had the Govs other hit and the team's only RBI.

Ryan led Dayton with a 3-for-5, four RBI performance. Blasik was 2-for-5 with three RBI while Glover added two hits as part of the Flyers' 12-hit attack.

Austin Peay will conclude the Riverview Inn Challenge with a 2:30 p.m., Sunday contest against Arkansas State. Dayton and Northern Illinois will square off in the day's 11 a.m. opener.

-AP-