Western Kentucky’s baseball team dropped a 5-0 decision to visiting Southern Miss on Saturday at Nick Denes Field.

WKU starter Paul Kirkpatrick posted his third quality start of the season, but took the loss as the Hilltoppers were shut out at the plate.

WKU hosted its “Vs. Cancer” event to raise money and awareness to help “Cure Kids Cancer,” and the team asked Alastair Kirkpatrick – who is fighting brain cancer – to throw a ceremonial first pitch to his son, Paul, who would start the game for the home team. After joining his father on the turf before the game, Kirkpatrick struck out the No. 25 Golden Eagles’ side in a scoreless first inning.

The Hilltoppers (9-19 overall, 3-5 Conference USA) threatened in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases on a leadoff single from Kaleb Duckworth and two-out walks by Colie Currie and Nathan Methvin. The team was unable to get a run across, however.

The Golden Eagles (23-5, 7-1) got their first run in the fourth frame on back-to-back hits from Cole Donaldson and LeeMarcus Boyd. Three innings later with the same score of 1-0, Kirkpatrick allowed a two-run home run to Taylor Braley and was relieved by lefty Logan Weins right after.

Weins and righty Kevin Elder combined to get the final two outs of the seventh, but Elder allowed a pair of Southern Miss runs in the eighth for the game to reach 5-0. Devon Loomis pitched a scoreless ninth to keep the game at a final score of 5-0.

WKU hopes to avoid a series sweep Sunday against the Golden Eagles, with first pitch at 1 p.m. at Nick Denes Field.