ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Appalachian State University baseball fell in a midweek contest to UNC Asheville at Greenwood Baseball field on St. Patrick's Day, 11-5.

The Mountaineers (5-15, 0-6 Sun Belt) got out to a quick two run lead in the first inning behind an RBI double from Conner Leonard that drove in Michael Pierson and Dillon Dobson. Leonard was a bright spot for the Mountaineer offense, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI, and one run.

Blake Burkett got the start for Appalachian, but didn't make it out of the first inning after walking three Bulldogs. Asheville plated three runs on one hit in the first inning with the help of two passed balls, two wild pitches, and a fielding error.

After a scoreless second inning, the Bulldogs extended their lead on Hunter Bryant's three-run homer off Luke Watts. Asheville then put together a four-run fifth inning that put the game out of reach for the Mountaineers.

Appalachian tried to get back into the ballgame with an RBI single from Zach Hummel in the fourth inning followed by a two-run shot over the left centerfield wall by Grayson Atwood in the sixth, but the Bulldog lead was too much to overcome.

In all, the Mountaineers used eight pitchers in the loss with no one lasting longer than two and a third innings.

The loss was the first at the hands of UNC Asheville since 2004, snapping a 14-game winning streak dating back to 2005.

The Mountaineers will seek their first Sun Belt Conference win this weekend when UL Monroe comes to Boone, N.C. for a three game series. The games are set to start at 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday at Appalachian State's Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium.