KNOXVILLE – Austin Peay State University's baseball team battled back from a pair of early deficits to force extra innings but could not topple No. 14 Tennessee, falling 8-7 in 12 innings, Tuesday night at Nelson Stadium.

Austin Peay (8-11) first rallied from a 5-0 deficit with a five-run fourth inning. First baseman Dre Gleason began the rally with an RBI double. Yet it was with two outs that the Govs did the bulk of the damage. Second baseman Kevin Corey had a RBI double, center fielder Casey Bredlau had a two-run single and right fielder Rolando Gautier tied the game with a RBI triple.

Tennessee (18-2) broke the tie in its half of the fourth as left fielder Christin Stewart hit a two-run home run to right field, giving the hosts a 7-5 lead.

Austin Peay's bullpen settled in after giving up the lead, holding Tennessee scoreless for the next seven innings. The Govs escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and left a runner stranded on third in the seventh.

Meanwhile, the Govs offense kept plugging away. Austin Peay saw the first two batters in the seventh reach base as third baseman Alex Robles singled and Gleason walked. A pair of wild pitches allowed Robles to score and trim the deficit to one run, 7-6. The Govs then saw Gleason cut down at home and could not restart the rally.

Austin Peay tied the game in the ninth after Gautier led off the frame with a walk. Shortstop Garrett Copeland moved the Gautier to second on a ground out and a Robles single put runners on the corner with one out. First baseman Dre Gleason rifled a single through the right side, allowing Gautier to score and tie the game. The Govs rally stalled as the next two batters struck out.

Neither team threatened in the 10th or 11th innings and the Govs were retired in order in the 12th. Tennessee opened its half of the 12th when third baseman Jordan Rodgers was hit by a pitch. The Volunteers then moved the runner with a sacrifice bunt before the Govs walked catcher Tyler Schultz. Shortstop Taylor Smart ended the game with a single through the left side and into the outfield, allowing Rodgers to score.

Reliever Jordan Harmon (0-1), the ninth of 10 Govs pitchers, suffered the loss after allowing one run to score in the 12th.

Tennessee reliever Josh Peterson (2-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings to close the game.

Gleason led the Govs offense with a 2-for-5, two RBI outing. Corey finished 2-for-5 with a RBI and two doubles. Austin Peay's seven runs tied for the most scored against Tennessee this season.

Price led Tennessee with a 3-for-5, two RBI outing.

Austin Peay continues its five-game road trip with a 6 p.m., Friday contest at Jacksonville State to open a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series.