Western Kentucky dropped the opening game of a three-game series against visiting Conference USA rival Southern Miss on Friday, falling 6-1 at Nick Denes Field.

Despite seven innings of three-run ball from starter Ryan Thurston, WKU fell to the No. 25 Golden Eagles. The lefty allowed only four hits while striking out eight, but the Hilltoppers were unable to get a run across until the ninth.

Colie Currie and Thomas Peter had their 11th and 10th multi-hit games of the season, respectively, and totaled 5-of-9 hits on the day for WKU.

Trailing 6-0 in the bottom of the ninth, the Hilltoppers started a rally with an infield hit from Currie sandwiched in-between pinch hits from Paul Murray and Marshall Smith. Also a pinch hitter, Nathan Methvin drove in the team’s run on an RBI groundout.

The Hilltoppers and Golden Eagles begin the month of April with game two of the series, with first pitch at 1 p.m. at Nick Denes Field. Paul Kirkpatrick will start for WKU, while Hayden Roberts will oppose him from the Southern Miss side.