EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Austin Peay State University's baseball team fell behind early and could not catch up, dropping the final game of its Ohio Valley Conference series against SiUE, 12-7, Sunday afternoon at Simmons Baseball Complex.

Austin Peay (28-20, 17-10 OVC) scored the game's first run as shortstop Garrett Kueber hit his third home run of the season for an early 1-0 lead.

SIUE (14-31, 5-19 OVC), which had been held scoreless in the first two games of the series, broke through for its first runs against the Govs in the bottom of the first. Designated hitter Peyton Cordova-Smith delivered a two-out base hit to drive in two and give the Cougars a 2-1 lead.

The Cougars would break the game open in the middle stages, scoring four runs in both the fourth and sixth frames. A pair of bases-loaded walks and catcher Brock Weimer's two-run single accounted for the fourth inning outburst and a 8-2 lead.

However, Back-to-back home runs in the sixth proved the decisive outburst. First baseman Jared McCunn hit a three-run home run and Weimer followed with a solo shot as the Cougars built a 12-4 lead.

Austin Peay put together one last outburst, right fielder Kyle Wilson hitting a three-run home run in the seventh that took advantage of back-to-back walks. However, the Govs had just one runner in the final two innings and could not close the gap.

Govs starter Brandon Vial (2-3) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on five hits and three walks in 3.1 innings.

Wilson paced the Govs offense with a 2-for-4, three RBI effort. Kueber added a 2-for-4, one RBI outing as the Govs mustered just five hits on the day.

SIUE reliever Chris Robinson (3-1) picked up the win after allowing three runs on two hits and three walks over the final four innings.

McCunn had two home runs as part of a 4-for-4, five RBI outburst in the win. The top five batters in the Cougars order combined for 11 hits and all 12 RBI in the contest.

Austin Peay returns home for a brief stay when it hosts Lipscomb in a 6 p.m., Tuesday contest at Raymond C. Hand Park. It will be the Govs final midweek contest of 2018 season.