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Cullowhee, N.C. - Four Catamounts posted multi-hit games including three-hit outings by Andrew Robinson and Justin Sparks as Western Carolina overcame a sluggish start to win its 2018 home-opener over Morehead State, 6-2, on Tuesday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. Every Catamount batter in the lineup collected as base hit as WCU pounded out a season-high 16 hits in the first victory of the season.

Robinson and Sparks both finished 3-for-4 to pace WCU, while freshman Will Prater stayed hot at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance. His classmate, Justice Bigbie, collected his first multi-hit game, posting a pair of hits in a 2-for-4 finish with a team-high two RBI giving him four runs driven in over the past three games.

Morehead State (2-3) broke the scoreless stalemate in the top of the third inning, capitalizing on a pair of Catamount miscues to plate an unearned run for a 1-0 lead through three complete. The Eagles managed to hold the Catamounts off the scoreboard despite seven hits through the first four-plus innings.

WCU managed to break through in the home half of the fifth inning, though, as Robinson drew a lead-off walk ahead of Sparks' double to the fence in left center field. Andrew Bullock then collected his lone hit of the game, dropping a run-scoring single down the left field line to start the scoring, tying the game at one apiece. The Catamounts managed to push across the go-ahead run on an infield double-play to make it 2-1 after five complete.

In the seventh inning, Morehead State tied the game at two, using a hit batter and a double to put runners in scoring position before Braxton Morris lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to plate in the equalizing marker. However, the Catamounts seized control in the bottom of the frame with a three-run inning.

Three-consecutive singles to start the frame by Andrew Robinson, Sparks, and Caleb Robinson loaded the bases with just one out. A fourth single by Luke Robinson drove in the go-ahead marker, scoring his twin brother to make it 3-2 despite the second out being recorded on the play. Catcher Spencer Holcomb walked to again load the bases ahead of Bigbie who laced a single into right field, plating a pair of runs to push WCU ahead, 5-2.

Redshirt junior Matthew Koehler gave WCU an insurance marker with his first home run of the season, clearing the fence in right center to provide the game's final tally, 6-2.

Senior Jake Niezen (1-0) scored the victory out of the bullpen for the Catamounts, tossing an inning and two-thirds of hitless, scoreless relief with a walk and a strikeout. Niezen took over from left-handed classmate Corey Sikes, who also tossed 1.2 innings allowing a run on two hits with a strikeout.

Redshirt sophomore transfer Blake Therrian earned the start in the home-opener, limiting Morehead State to one unearned run on just three hits through 4.2 innings, countering two walks with a strikeout. Another newcomer, Chase Walter, struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief to close the game.

For Morehead State -- picked to finish second in the Ohio Valley Conference in the preseason -- reliever Grant Crosby (0-1) was saddled with the loss, one of eight Eagles' pitchers to toe the rubber on Tuesday. Crosby was touched for one run on two hits in a third of an inning of work, recording his lone out on a strikeout. Starter Kyle Cantu scattered seven WCU hits over four innings of scoreless work, striking out two against a walk for MSU.

Offensively, shortstop Reid Leonard (2-for-4) and Eli Boggess (2-for-5) both collected two hits in the loss while Morris tallied the lone RBI. Leonard reached a team-best three times, adding a HBP, while Boggess posted one of two doubles by Morehead State on the afternoon.

Western Carolina (1-3) remains at home as a part of a season-long, six-game home stand, hosting Canisius College (2-2) for a three-game, nonconference series at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. Game one is scheduled for 4:00 pm on Friday, with a 2:00 pm first pitch on Saturday before the series finale Sunday at Noon.