RICHMOND, Ky. - Austin Peay State University's baseball team saw its defense betray it late in an 7-6 Ohio Valley Conference loss to Eastern Kentucky, Saturday afternoon at Turkey Hughes Field.

Austin Peay (23-15, 10-3 OVC) committed four errors and was charged with a passed ball, which led to six of Eastern Kentucky's seven runs in the contest. The bulk of the Govs miscues came in the final four innings as Eastern Kentucky (17-18, 9-5 OVC) charged back from a 7-1 deficit.

In particular the Govs will look back at the ninth inning and wonder what could have been. Closer Tyler Rogers surrendered a leadoff walk and then hit the second batter he faced. EKU shortstop Richie Rodriguez followed and hit a high hopping ground ball back to Rogers, who rushed his throw to first and it sailed high, allowing two runs to score.

Center fielder Austin Grisham then singled to shallow left field, allowing Rodriguez to reach third base with no outs. The Govs intentionally walked left fielder Jacob Daniel to load the bases. The tactic worked initially as Rogers struck out third baseman Bryan Soloman for the inning's first out. But EKU would not be denied as first baseman A.J. Jamison singled through the right side, bringing Rodriguez home with the game-winning run.

Austin Peay scored first - on shortstop Reed Harper's RBI single - and added two-run home runs by left fielder Cody Hudson and right fielder Rolando Gautier in the fourth and sixth innings, respectively, as they built a 7-1 lead in six innings.

The late defensive gaffes ruined a stellar outing by senior Zach Toney who held the Colonels hitless through 5.2 innings and retired eight consecutive batters at one point. He struck out the first two batters in the sixth before surrendering a walk followed by back-to-back singles - the first hits he allowed. He went six innings allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out seven.

Closer Tyler Rogers (3-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out two in one inning of work.

Eastern Kentucky reliever Chase Greene (1-2) picked up the win after holding Austin Peay scoreless - allowing one hit - over three innings.

Austin Peay out-hit Eastern Kentucky, 9-5, as Gautier and third baseman Greg Bachman each had two hits.

Jamison had the Colonels lone multi-hit outing, finishing the game 2-for-5.

Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky conclude their three-game OVC set, which is tied 1-1, with a noon (CT), Sunday contest.

-AP-