CLARKSVILLE - Austin Peay State University's baseball team was held to one hit in the first six innings and fell to Jacksonville State, 8-2, in Ohio Valley Conference action Sunday at Raymond C. Hand Park.

With the loss, Austin Peay (26-17, 12-5 OVC) lost a OVC series for the first time since 2010 - ending a streak of 14 consecutive non-losing series by the Govs. It also slashed APSU's league lead to one-half game over both Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky with three weeks remaining in the OVC race.

The Govs had few answers for Jacksonville State starter Hunter Rivers who allowed just four base runners through the first six innings and none of those reached second base. Austin Peay was only able to solve the right-hander in the seventh when second baseman Jordan Hankins tripled to start the inning and scored on a sacrifice fly. Left fielder Cody Hudson followed with a two-out solo home run that ended Rivers' outing.

Jacksonville State (18-23, 12-6 OVC) was held in check through three innings by Austin Peay starter Casey Delgado. However, they broke through in the fourth, scoring twice with two outs. The Govs defense helped the Gamecocks cause in the fifth, committing consecutive errors to allow a third run.

The Gamecocks broke the game open in the sixth as Delgado allowed five of the first six batters he faced in the game to reach base. Third baseman Sam Eberle ended Delgado's outing with a grand slam to left center, pushing the JSU lead to 8-0.

Rivers (3-3) picked up the win after allowing two runs on three hits while striking out seven over 6.2 innings. Reliever Todd Hornsby held the Govs to one hit over the final 2.1 innings.

Delgado (5-4) suffered the loss after allowing eight runs on eight hits and five walks over 5.1 innings. Relievers Mike Hebert and Tyler Rogers combined to limit JSU to two hits over the final 3.2 innings.

Eberle finished the day 1-for-3 with four RBI to lead the Jacksonville State offensive effort. Right fielder Kyle Bluestein and designated hitter Erick Underwood each had two hits and an RBI.

Hankins and Hudson each had two hits - the Govs only hits in the contest.

Austin Peay will take the upcoming week off for finals before returning to league action with a three-game set at SIU Edwardsville, beginning with a 6 p.m., Friday contest.

-AP-