CULLOWHEE, N.C. ? Appalachian State University baseball was shut out for the first time this season in a 4-0 loss to Western Carolina on Friday afternoon at Hennon Stadium.

Western Carolina starter Mike Tavernier combined with relievers Garrett Ozar and Daniel Ottone to limit Appalachian (5-4, 0-3 SoCon) to five hits, with just two coming after the third inning. ASU helped the WCU cause by stranding nine base-runners, including four in scoring position.

Right fielder Trevor Collias provided all of the offense that the Catamounts would need with a solo home run in the third inning and by scoring all the way from second base on an infield single in the fifth. Catcher Stephen Notaro added a bit of insurance with a two-out, two-run double in the sixth.

Mountaineer starter Matt Andress scattered six hits over 5.2 innings but issued four walks versus just one strikeout and was tagged for all four runs to fall to 0-2 on the young season. Tavernier struck out five and surrendered five hits over 6.2 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the campaign.

Leadoff hitter Wes Hobson collected three of Appalachian's five hits in a 3-for-3 effort, but the rest of ASU's hitters combined to go just 2-for-29 with 10 strikeouts.

The Mountaineers continue their three-game series at WCU on Saturday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.