WKU accumulated only six hits on Tuesday afternoon in a 10-2 loss at Murray State.

The Topper offense was once again lackluster, on a day when their in-state rival plated 10 runs on 12 hits.

A big inning for WKU opponents has become a common occurrence in most of WKU’s (2-6) eight games this season and it was no different in Tuesday’s matchup. 

The Thoroughbreds broke through for four runs in the fourth inning and later took a commanding lead in a five-run eighth inning.

Before the bottom of the eighth inning, the Toppers trailed 5-2, in what seemed to be a manageable deficit.

In the eighth inning with WKU senior right-hander Ross Hammonds on the mound, Murray State hit back-to-back singles and drew a walk to set up the bases loaded with only one out.

The ‘Breds scored their next three runs on a passed ball, a fielder’s choice and an error by junior shortstop Steve Hodgins to give them an 8-2 lead over WKU.

Murray State first baseman Mike Kozlowski then hit a two-out double to left field that scored two and gave the Racers a solid 10-2 lead.

Sophomore right-hander GJ Strauss started for the Toppers and gave up no runs on one hit in three innings of work.

However, sophomore left-hander Austin Clay came on to pitch in the fourth inning and struggled, throwing 1 1/3 innings and allowed five runs, all earned, on seven hits.

The game was all tied up at zero until the bottom of the fourth inning when Murray State broke through for a four-run inning, capped off by a two-RBI single by third baseman Luke Daugherty and an RBI triple by left fielder Ty Stetson. 

Murray State added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 5-0 lead.

The Toppers rallied in the sixth inning when senior right fielder Ryan Hutchison hit a two-RBI triple that cut the ‘Breds’ lead to 5-2. 

But the rally didn’t last long when Murray State mounted their five-run eighth inning on their way to defeating WKU.

Senior center fielder Jared Andreoli didn’t make the trip after suffering a hamstring strain during Sunday’s game against Southern Illinois.

The Toppers will look to put a halt on their three-game losing streak in this weekend’s home series against Kent State. The first game will start at 3 p.m. on Friday at Nick Denes Field.