Cullowhee, N.C. – Sophomore Drew Needham collected a pair of extra base hits including a game-tying solo home run in the third inning, but timely hitting alluded Western Carolina as the Catamounts dropped their second-consecutive game in falling 5-2 to Illinois State in Friday's nonconference series-opener at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
 
Needham belted a line-drive homer over the right field fence to answer a first-inning round-tripper by Illinois State to tie Friday's opener at one through three complete. However, the gridlock was short-lived as consecutive extra-base hits capped by a two-run homer by Jake McCaw gave the Redbirds the lead for what proved to be for good in the top of the fourth.
 
In the home half of the seventh inning, the Catamounts clawed back to within a run as Needham tripled to left field ahead of Seth Graves who delivered a run-scoring single to cut the deficit back to one, 3-2. But Illinois State tacked on a pair of insurance markers in the top of the eighth to provide the final tally.
 
WCU missed multiple opportunities in Friday's opener, though, stranding six base runners – one in each inning between the third and eighth innings including three runners in scoring position.
 
Needham finished 2-for-4 with the two extra base hits while Graves reached base three times with a pair of singles and a walk.
 
Zebby Matthews (0-1) was tagged with the loss despite striking out nine batters over a six-inning effort in the starting role. The Cullowhee native was tagged with three earned runs on seven base hits. Relievers Jacob Corn and Zach Franklin both tallied strikeouts in an inning of work with Dawson Elder allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of relief work.
 
Redbird starter Jordan Lussier (1-0) struck out three against two walks in scoring the victory, surrendering a run over 5.0 innings of work. Reliever Jared Hart struck out four in two innings out of the bullpen but surrendered his first run of the season on the Graves single. Closer Erik Kubiatowicz picked up his second save of the year, capitalizing on a game-ending double-play to erase a walk.
 
Aidan Huggins finished 2-for-5 with the first-inning homer, while Ryan Cermak tallied a pair of hits for the Redbirds. McCaw plated three runs for the visitors including the two-run home run and a sacrifice fly.
 
Game two of the three-game series has been bumped to a 1:30 pm start on Saturday afternoon. Coverage of Saturday's game will be available with live stats through CatamountSports.com and through social media using the baseball handle, @CatamountBSB.