A nine-run sixth inning for visiting Charlotte was the difference Friday night, as Western Kentucky’s baseball team lost 16-5 at Nick Denes Field.

WKU’s Thomas Peter and Kevin Lambert knocked three hits apiece, while Hunter Wood added a pair of his own.

Paul Kirkpatrick started for the Hilltoppers and allowed five runs in the first two innings before finding a groove similar to his complete-game effort at UTSA six days ago. After the first three 49ers reached base in the second inning, Kirkpatrick retired 12 of the next 13 batters through the fifth frame, allowing only a hit by pitch.

WKU fought back to make it a 5-2 game in the bottom of the second when Colie Currie grounded home Tyler Robertson and Peter doubled in Lambert. But Charlotte reached base with its first eight batters in the sixth off Kirkpatrick, Devon Loomis and Michael Hicks, plating nine to take a 14-2 lead.

WKU hopes to avoid a series sweep Saturday against the 49ers, with first pitch at noon at Nick Denes Field. Charlotte will throw righty Zach Flanagan, while the Hilltoppers’ final starter remains TBA at this time.