Sauget, Ill. - Coming off of the first College World Series appearance in 2017, the Cougars took to the field today at GCS Credit Union Ballpark for the highly anticipated 2018 season opener. The Cougars opened the season scoring two quick runs in the first. Webster worked their way into the lead midway through the contest, but CUC was able to scratch two across in the sixth to tie the game at four. Unfortunately for CUC a walkoff homerun in the ninth for Webster would spoil the season opener by a score of 5-4.

For the Cougars (0-1), Andrew Massey had two hits and scored twice. Mitch Wilson drove in a pair in the first inning. Starting pitcher Keaton Conner went four and a third innings allowing eight hits and four earned runs. Brian Musielak tossed three and two thirds of relief, allowing just the one run while striking out five. Webster (1-0) had nine hits as a team, highlighted by Nate Tholl's homerun in the ninth.

The Cougars wasted no time getting things rolling in the top of the first. With one out, Joe Silva drove a full count pitch to center for the first hit of the season. Massey followed with a double to left field to put two in scoring position for Wilson. The senior second basemen delivered with a rope into left center to score both Silva and Massey.

Webster answered with a run in the bottom half on a double down the left field line. Webster worked their way into the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third. With the bases loaded, a seeing eye single between first and second allowed two to score, making it 3-2 Webster after three.

After the Gorloks added a run to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth, CUC used their plate discipline to tie the game. With one out, Massey singled up the middle on a 1-2 pitch. Three walks and a hit by pitch followed, allowing to the Cougars to tie the game at four.

Musielak continued to pitch near flawless relief for the Cougars, keeping the game tied at four going into the ninth. Unfortunately for CUC, Webster's Tholl was able to get ahold of a 1-1 pitch and drive it over the left field fence to spoil the Cougars' opening day.

The Cougars will close out their opening weekend tomorrow with their first double header of the season. CUC will face Concordia-Texas at 10:00am followed by Webster at 4:00pm from GCS Ballpark.