MOREHEAD, Ky. – SIUE baseball connected for six home runs Friday, but it came in a losing cause as the Cougars dropped a 13-10 decision to Morehead State in the opener of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series.

The Cougars fell to 5-5 in OVC play and 11-11 overall. Morehead State improved to 3-1 in the OVC and 11-10.

Brett Johnson, Connor Kiffer, Raul Elguezabal, Brady Bunten, Ole Arntson and Ethan Copeland all homered in the game for the Cougars, who scored 10 times on 12 hits. The six home runs set a new single-game record for SIUE's Division I era.

"Offensively we are getting into a little bit of a rhythm," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "That give us a lot of confidence going forward in the series."

It was the Eagles who proved to be the opportunistic side of the day. Morehead State capitalized on 13 walks and three hit batters by SIUE pitchers.

"We offered too many free bases," Lyons said. "They took advantage with hits and were able to extend the lead which proved to be too much to overcome."

Bunten and Johnson were each 3-5 to lead SIUE at the plate. John Stallcup was 2-5 and extended his hitting streak to 12 games, the longest of the season for the Cougars.

"Brady, Brett and Johnny (Stallcup) continue to swing the bats well," Lyons added.

SIUE took a 2-0 lead but fell behind 6-2 after the fourth inning. It was 9-3 Morehead State after five innings. The Cougars then scored five runs in the sixth and another run in the seventh to tie the score.

"After we fell behind, we did a nice job battling back," Lyons said. "We continue to put ourselves in position to win late in games."

Morehead State went back on top with a run in the seventh and then scored three in the eighth to lead 13-9. The Cougars got a run back in the ninth.

"We never feel like we are out of a game," Lyons said.

Cole Becker led the Eagles. He was 3-4. Morehead State scored its 13 runs on 11 hits.

The Cougars and Eagles will conclude the series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. First pitch in game one is 11 a.m.