Cleveland State's bats could not come through whey they needed them.
The Cougars lost at home in their conference opener to Volunteer State Friday 3-2.
"Our offense continues to struggle," said head coach Mike Policastro. "We are not capable of overcoming defensive lapses."
Cleveland State committed three errors throughout the game and managed just five hits.
The Cougars did start out on top when freshman catcher Christian Burnett drove in freshman third baseman Billy Brand in the bottom of the second after an error from the Pioneers freshman shortstop Luke Allison.
The Pioneers tied it up in the top of the fifth on a solo homerun from red shirt freshman C.J. Brown. Volunteer State (7-5, 1-0) then scored two in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead.
Brand homered in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cougars were held scoreless in the final two innings.
Sophomore Drew Korzybski picked up the loss despite pitching eight innings allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out six and walking three.
"Drew threw well, he gave us a chance," said Policastro.
Cleveland State (5-8, 0-1) looks to pick up the series win Saturday when they host the Pioneers in a double header.