MILLINGTON – Designated hitter Dre Gleason's two-run single in the eighth inning propelled Austin Peay State University's baseball team to a 5-3 victory against Memphis, Wednesday night, at USA Stadium.

Austin Peay (13-20) scored two runs in the sixth but surrendered that lead in seventh. However, the Govs responded in the eighth to regain the lead. Right fielder Rolando Gautier led off the inning with a double to right center. Pinch hitter Chase Hamilton followed and walked to put two aboard with no out.

The Govs moved the runners with left fielder Ridge Smith's sacrifice bunt, before a strikeout put two outs on the board. Gleason came to the plate and hit a floating drive inside the left field line, allowing Gautier and Hamilton to score, giving APSU a 4-3 lead.

Austin Peay would tack on an insurance run in the ninth thanks to a Memphis error. Shortstop Logan Gray singled to start the inning and moved to second on catcher P.J. Torres sacrifice bunt. Memphis pitcher Nolan Blackwood attempted to pickoff Gray at second, but his throw sailed into center field, allowing Gray to advance to third. Second baseman Garrett Copeland made the miscue count with a sacrifice fly, giving APSU a 5-3 advantage.

Govs reliever Ryan Quick made the late burst stand up. He would allow two base runners in both the eighth in ninth innings, but worked his way out of the jam both times to pick up his season's first save.

The game was scoreless through five innings. Austin Peay used five pitchers in the opening five innings, holding Memphis to three hits. Meanwhile, Memphis starter Dylan Toscano held the Govs to two hits through the opening five frames.

Austin Peay broke the stalemate thanks to a Memphis error in the sixth. Bredlau and Smith both hit one out singles and then successfully completed a double steal. Memphis' catcher threw to second to attempt to prevent the effort, but his throw sailed into center field. Bredlau scored and Smith advanced to third on the play. Gleason made Memphis pay for the miscue with Gleason's ground out that allowed Smith to score for a 2-0 advantage.

Memphis (18-16) responded one inning later as its first four batters reached base against reliever Tommy Hager. The Tigers took advantage of an Austin Peay error as well as two softly hit balls that barely escaped the Govs infielders, one permitting a run to score. Reliever A.J. Gaura took the mound and struck out the first batter he faced before allowing runs on an outfield single and fielder's choice, giving Memphis a 3-2 lead.

Gaura (1-1) was credited with the victory after one scoreless inning of relief. Gleason led the Govs offense with a 2-for-3, three RBI outing while Gray went 2-for-4.

Toscano (3-2) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in seven-plus innings. Right fielder Jake Little and first baseman Tucker Tubbs each had two hits to pace the Memphis offense.

Austin Peay returns to action when it hosts Southeast Missouri in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series, set to begin with a 6 p.m., Friday contest.