JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Left fielder Griffin Rivers and pinch hitter Max Remy each drove in runs but Austin Peay State University's baseball team could not solve Jacksonville starting pitcher Trent Palmer and dropped a 9-2 decision, Friday night, at Sessions Stadium.

Palmer kept Austin Peay (3-6) off balance most of the night, but Govs catcher Alex Hay broke through with a double off the wall in left to lead off the third inning. Rivers would deliver APSU's first run with a ground out to second, allowing Hay to score.

Jacksonville (4-6) led 6-0 before the Govs breakthrough after scoring four in the opening frame and two in the second. The Dolphins jump-started their four-run first with the first four batters reaching base. Left fielder Cory Heffron provided a two-run double and third baseman Stephen Moffat added an RBI single. Catcher Anthony George supplied a two-run home run in the second.

Palmer (1-1) dug in after surrendering the third inning run, retiring eight straight until Rivers' sixth-inning single and third baseman Gino Avros' single – the Govs best scoring chance against the Dolphins starter. However, a strikeout and ground out ended the threat and Palmer would get through the order three times in a 7.2-inning outing that saw him strike out 12 batters while scattering four hits.

Austin Peay's bench provided the second run of the night against the JU bullpen, pinch hitter TJ Foreman reaching on a single followed by shortstop Bobby Head's single. Remy then grounded out to shortstop, allowing Foreman to score the second run.

APSU starter Harley Gollert (0-2) went four innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits and two walks. Reliever Greg Norman tossed two scoreless innings and Collin Loose surrendered two runs in his two innings of relief.

Designated hitter Ty DeLancey's 2-for-4 outing led the Govs seven-hit outing. Avros extended his reached safely streak to 22 games, dating back to last season, with his sixth-inning single in a 1-for-4 night. Hay went 1-for-4 with a run scored and caught two runners attempting to steal.

JU second baseman Scott Dubrule went 4-for-5 and scored three times. George, Heffron and first baseman Christian Coipel each had two RBI.

Austin Peay returns to action with a 1 p.m. (CT), Saturday contest against Jacksonville as it seeks to level the three-game series.