CHARLESTON, Ill. - Austin Peay State University's baseball team concluded a long 24-hour period, winning a suspended contest 8-7 in 17 innings before dropping the day's second game, 2-1, to Eastern Illinois in Saturday action at Coaches Stadium.

Saturday's first task was to conclude a suspended contest that was halted with the score tied 7-7 after 12 innings. Eastern Illinois (12-16, 4-4 OVC) turned to scheduled Game 3 starter Troy Barton upon the restart and he retired the first nine batters he faced.  He worked out of a jam in the 16th inning when APSU had two runners in scoring position with one out, striking out the next two batters to end the threat.

Austin Peay (20-11, 7-1 OVC) countered by returning reliever Tyler Rogers to the hill. After going three innings the night before, Rogers went 1.2 more innings before departing with two outs in the 14th.

Reliever Zane Leffew (2-1) picked up from there and closed out the 14th. He left a runner in scoring position in the 15th before issuing three walks in the 16th, loading the bases, but induced a line drive to end the threat.

Austin Peay finally broke through thanks to a two-out rally in the 17th. Center fielder Michael Blanchard led off the rally with a bunt single. Designated hitter Jon Clinard was hit by a pitch, moving Blanchard to second. Left fielder Cody Hudson then brought home the eventual game-winning run with a single to through the right side.

There was definitely no quit in our guys in that first game. I give our defense, pitching and hitters a ton of credit. We just kept battling, getting runners on and even when we wouldn't get it done on offense our pitcher's and defense picked us up. We finally stepped up and got runners on base and Cody (Hudson) delivered with a big hit.

Govs Reliever Andy Cox made the one run stand up thanks to some help from catcher P.J. Torres, who caught a pinch runner stealing for the inning's first out. Cox then induced a pair of drive outs to seal the win and record his first career save.

Several records fell in the victory. Austin Peay head coach Gary McClure became the first OVC coach to record 300 conference wins with the victory. It also was the Govs seventh-consecutive OVC win to start the campaign, setting a program record. The 17-inning contest was the longest in Austin Peay history as was the five hour, 40 minute elapsed time.

Neither team's offense was able to gain much ground in the day's second game. Austin Peay starter Casey Delgado and Eastern Illinois starter Christian Slazinik were engaged in a pitcher's duel.

Slazinik kept the Govs stymied through six innings, but got into a jam in the sixth. The Govs loaded the bases courtesy a pair of walks and a single then scored a run on right fielder Austin Atwell's single into center field. The Govs nearly scored a second run, but shortstop Reed Harper was cut down at home on a throw from EIU center fielder Nick Priessman.

Delgado allowed a run in the third inning on Priessman's RBI single, but it was the only run he allowed through eight innings. Delgado got the first two outs in the ninth but allowed a double to designated hitter Tyler Schweigert and then issued an intentional walk before leaving the game.

The Govs turned to reliever Mike Hebert to face EIU pinch hitter George Kalousek. The Govs were unable to stem the Panthers rush, as Hebert surrendered a walk off single.

Delgado (4-3) suffered the loss in Game 2 after allowing two runs on six hits over a career-long 8.2 innings pitched.

EIU reliever Luke Bushur (1-0) tossed a scoreless 2.2 innings of relief in the win, allowing one hit.

The loss ended the Govs seven-game OVC-opening win streak, but they remain one and a half games ahead of the league after three weeks. Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts Middle Tennessee in a 6 p.m., Tuesday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park.

-AP-