Big First Inning Powers Eagles to 8-5 Win at Western Carolina in Series Opener

Morehead, Ky. -- Morehead State scored five in the top of the first inning, highlighted by Jaden Correa's sixth home run of the season, and the Eagles ran their winning streak to five games with an 8 5 win over Western Carolina in the opener of a four-game series in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
 
Morehead State (10-8) got off to a fast start in the first inning. Right fielder Davis Germann started things off with a one-out single to right center and scored on designated hitter Aubrey Kearns' double into the gap in right center.
 
Catcher Caden Sheridan drew a two-out walk to put runners at the corners.  A wild pitch moved the runners up, scoring Kearns. Second baseman Nick Griffith was hit by a pitch and shortstop Correa cleared the bases with a deep shot over the left field fence to give MSU a 5-0 lead to start the game.
 
Freshman Cole Wells (2-1) picked up the win out of the bullpen. He allowed one run on two hits and struck out one WCU batter in 3.1 innings pitched.

MSU starter Landon Waugh had a solid appearance. The sophomore from Louisville threw 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out four Catamount batters.
 
Western Carolina posted single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to cut the Eagle lead to 5-3.  Morehead State got another run in the top of the seventh inning; third baseman Griffin Olson led off with a double to right field and scored on Kearns' two-out RBI single to the gap in right center.
 
The Eagles padded the lead in the ninth. Left fielder Kyle Krupp smacked a one-out single up the middle and stole second base. He promptly stole third base and scored on a throwing error by WCU catcher Noah Quarless on the play.
 
Germann walked, stole second base and scored on Kearns' double to left center to put the Eagles ahead 8-3.
 
Western Carolina scratched out two runs in the bottom of the ninth for the final margin. Catamount starter James Fordham (1-1) took the loss. He was solid after the tough first inning; he threw 6.2 innings allowing six runs on four hits. He struck out 10 Eagle batters and walked three.
 
Morehead State and Western Carolina will square off Friday in the second game of their series. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
 
NOTABLE

• Aubrey Kearns finished the day 3-4 at the plate with two doubles and two runs batted in. Kearns has now hit safely in 17 of MSU's 18 games.
• Kyle Krupp went 1-3 at the plate with two stolen bases. He leads MSU with 14 stolen bases.
• Freshman Cole Wells allowed one run on two hits and struck out one WCU batter in 3.1 innings pitched out of the bullpen.
• Freshman Luke Hayes closed the game out for Morehead State in the ninth. He allowed two runs on two hits but struck out three WCU batters, continuing his strong start at Morehead State.