EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – A bang-bang play at the plate went against Austin Peay State University's baseball team as it dropped a 1-0 Ohio Valley Conference contest to SIUE, Friday night at Simmons Baseball Complex.

In a game scoreless through six and a half innings, SIUE (20-31, 15-14 OVC) saw center fielder Denton Reed walk to start the bottom of the seventh. The Cougars moved Reed to second on first baseman Alec Saikal's sacrifice bunt. The Govs countered by intentionally walking right fielder Devin Caldwell to put the double play back in order.

Shortstop Skyler Geissenger followed with a single to left field that put the wheels in motion. Reed made the turn at third and headed home as Austin Peay left fielder Ridge Smith fielded and threw the ball on the run. Smith's throw was to the right of home plate but catcher P.J. Torres caught the ball and lunged toward Reed who had not reached the plate. When the dust settled, Reed was called safe at home, scoring the game's lone run.

The Cougars lone run was enough to support starter Ryan Daniels (7-0) who tossed a two-hit shutout, walking two batters and striking out seven. He carried a no-hit bid until Austin Peay second baseman Alex Robles hit a two-out double in the seventh. Robles would advance to third on a single by first baseman Dre Gleason, but the Govs could not capitalize on their best scoring opportunity of the night.

Austin Peay (22-32, 14-15 OVC) could not find runs to support starter Jared Carkuff who threw a complete game of his own, allowing one run on three hits in a career-long eight-inning outing. Carkuff retired the first 14 batters he faced and was perfect until second baseman Chase Green's two-out single in the fifth.

The Govs and Cougars complete their three-game OVC series with a 1 p.m., Saturday contest that is crucial to both teams as they attempt to qualify for the six-team OVC Tournament. A win guarantees SIUE a spot in the tournament while Austin Peay must win and get some help to qualify.