Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Western Carolina baseball fell behind early as St. John's scored in bunches in taking a lead it would never relinquish over the first three frames as the Catamounts dropped their 2017 season-opener against the Red Storm, 14-3, in its first game of the Caravelle Resort's "Baseball at the Beach" held at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Park.

It was the second-straight season that St. John's had downed the Catamounts by a 14-3 score, duplicating the result from last year's Buffalo Wild Wings "Battle at the Beach," in Wilmington, N.C. The two teams will again square-off in tournament play in next month's Keith LeClair Classic in Greenville, N.C.

Redshirt senior OF Bryson Bowman collected two of WCU's seven hits on the day, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk while OF Matthew Koehler -- playing in his first game in over a year after missing the 2016 season due to injury -- scored both times he reached base to lead the Catamounts. Senior Matt Smith drove in a pair of runs on infield groundouts including a fielder's choice, while junior Caleb Robinson tripled

Earning the start behind the plate, redshirt freshman Justin Sparks doubled as a part of a 1-for-2 showing, while his replacement -- true freshman Luke Robinson -- also posted a 1-for-2 showing, likewise legging out a double by diving into second avoiding the tag in a run-down after falling after rounding first base. Those two-base hits were the first of both of their careers.

St. John's (1-0) tallied nine-consecutive runs over the first three innings including two in the first, four in the second, and a three-spot in the third before the Catamounts were able to light the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. Koehler led-off with a walk and moved to third with an infield groundout and a Bryson single to right field, which was WCU's first base hit of the game. Smith then bounced one to the right side of the infield for a fielder's choice, plating Koehler to make it 9-1.

The Catamounts were able close to within three with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, again spurred by Koehler who led-off with a swinging bunt single. Bowman doubled to put runners at second and third with the two markers crossing on Smith's second RBI and Caleb Robinson's triple.

The rally was short-lived, though, as St. John's responded in the bottom of the sixth with a two-spot including a solo home run to take an 11-3 lead. The Red Storm stretched their margin with two more runs in the seventh before capping scoring with a marker in the eighth to provide the final tally.

Seven Johnnies recorded two runs in the victory with six posting multiple-hit games. Outfielders Anthony Brocato and Jamie Galazin both finished with three hits in the win with Brocato tallying a pair of doubles and Galazin a trio of singles.

St. John's starter Kevin Magee (1-0) scored the victory, limiting the potent Catamount offense to three runs while scattering five hits over six innings. He also struck out one against one walk.

Junior LHP Brendan Nail (0-1) suffered the loss for the Catamounts, surrendering nine runs on 12 total hits, striking out two to counter a pair of walks. Redshirt senior Dillon Bray tossed four relief innings, also fanning two against one walk while allowing two runs on two hits. Senior Chad Mabini pitched the final two frames, allowing three runs -- two of which were earned -- on four hits.

Western Carolina (0-1) continues play in the Caravelle Resort's "Baseball at the Beach" tournament on Saturday afternoon as it visits defending national champion, Coastal Carolina, at their on-campus Springs Brooks Stadium. CCU will hold a special National Championship celebration beginning at 2:00 pm on Saturday with the game to follow, tentatively around 2:30 pm -- a large crowd is expected, so fans are encouraged to plan accordingly.

Saturday's game will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network with live streaming audio online at CatamountSports.com. Fans can also follow with live GameTracker and updates through Twitter at @Catamounts.