Cats stun Mississippi State

Western Carolina gave MSU their first opening-day loss since the 2003 season with a 3-2 victory over the Bulldogs.

Starter Jeremy Null held the Bulldogs in check as he allowed just three hits and no runs through eight innings. The opening day loss was Bulldogs coach John Cohen first time in 15 tries as a head coach.

The Bulldogs scored twice in the ninth inning against three WCU relievers but stranded runners on the corners to end the contest.

Living up to expectations against #4 ranked team in the nation, Null the SoCon preseason pitcher of the year, struck out seven of the first 13 batters he faced. "We really struggled against a good pitcher." said Cohen. We gave them a couple of opportunities and they took advantage of them. We didn't take advantage of ours."

Western Carolina struck early for two runs in the first inning. Jacob Hoyle and Luke Gragg each had RBI-singles off MSU starter Brandon Woodruff in the first inning. Aaron Attaway hit a one-out double and scored on an RBI-single by Cody Jones as an insurance run in the seventh.

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