HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The series opener Friday night at Pete Taylor Park saw Texas State (25-13, 9-7 Sun Belt) take an early lead but a six-run third inning from 22nd-ranked Southern Miss (26-12, 9-7 Sun Belt) was too much for the Bobcats to overcome in an 8-2 setback.
 
"Tough night tonight on the road. Cooper making his first start was really good except in the third. I thought his best inning was his last as he pitched and made some quality pitches," said head coach Steven Trout. "Offensively, you have to give credit to their two arms. I thought they dominated the zone and did a great job slowing our bat speed down. We will regroup, learn from it and come out tomorrow excited to tie up the series."
 
In his first collegiate start, Wade Cooper (4-1) struck out six in six innings but surrendered seven runs on eight hits to take the loss. Grayden Harris (7-1) also had six strikeouts in 6.1 innings and gave up eight hits that led to just two runs as he picked up the win.
 
Both Ryan Markwardt and Cameron O'Banan tossed an inning of relief with two and one strikeouts, respectively.
 
At the plate, Clayton Namken went 3-for-4 with a triple, one RBI and scored a run. Dawson Park and Jaquae Stewart each recorded two singles while Rashawn Galloway plated a run.
 
Chase Mora would reach base via a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a throwing error by the second baseman. Namken came to the plate and sent a 1-1 offering off the centerfield wall for an RBI triple to put TXST 1-0 in the second inning.
 
The Golden Eagles would string together five hits that led to a six-run third to take the lead. They got a solo home run from Kyle Morrison in the fifth to add to their lead.
 
In the seventh, Namken led off with a single and Tanner Carson sent the very next pitch to center for another single. Jackson Cotton reached on a fielder's choice that put runners on the corners. Following a pitching change, Galloway hit a grounder to the first baseman that saw him go to second to try to turn a double play. The Boerne, Texas native beat the relay throw to the first base bag that allowed Namken to score.
 
USM was able to load the bases in the eighth but only managed to score once on a Seth Smith single. Drey Barrett tried to score from second on the base hit but Bennett Fryman threw him out at the plate from shallow left field.
 
Game two of the series is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch on Saturday.
 
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