CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Jevon Mason went 2-for-4 with a run scored as Southeast Missouri (18-6, 3-1) dropped a close 4-3 game in its series opener to Austin Peay (9-18, 2-2) Friday.
 
Mason claimed his team-high 10th multiple hit game of the season. 
 
SEMO jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning when Mason led off the game with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Wilber.
 
APSU answered with a pair of runs during its first at-bat in the home half of the frame. Jack Alexander hit a run-scoring single and TJ Foreman scored on a double play to give the Governors a slight 2-1 advantage.
 
The Redhawks regained the lead in the fifth inning. Brett Graber walked and quickly went to third on an ensuing single by Joel Vaske. Ben Palmer hit a one-out single down the first base line and Graber scored. Peyton Leeper, behind 0-2 in the count, then knocked in Vaske on a two-out hit to right giving SEMO a 3-2 edge.
 
APSU, however, scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and that was the difference.
 
The Redhawks and Governors resume their series Saturday. Left-hander Noah Niznik is scheduled to start on the mound for SEMO.