STARKVILLE — A career-best four-hit night by Seth Heck led the way as Mississippi State opened the 2015 season with a 6-2 win over Cincinnati on Friday night at Dudy Noble Field.

The Bulldogs have won 11 of their last 12 season openers, including six of seven under John Cohen.

Mississippi State pounded out 10 hits and rode a dominating pitching performance from a trio of hurlers.

Preston Brown (1-0) allowed seven hits and two runs over five innings of work to garner the win. Brown matched a career-high with seven strikeouts. Zac Houston and Daniel Brown each faced the minimum with three strikeouts apiece over two innings of work for each hurler.

All told, the three pitchers combined to strike out 13 batters and only allowed two walks.

“Our pitchers really did a great job of throwing strikes,” Cohen said. “They filled up the strike zone and challenged the hitters. That was a good sign. The defense played great behind them. Thirteen strikeouts is a good number.”

Mississippi State erased an early 2-1 deficit by scoring three times in the second inning.

Jacob Robson started things with a single and Wes Rea reached on an error. Michael Smith followed with an RBI double, then Josh Lovelady and Heck each added RBI singles.

The lead grew to 6-2 an inning later when Robson singled and scored on a double by Rea. Another RBI single by Heck capped the scoring.

Robson finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored for the Bulldogs. He also walked twice.

“We had a tough time getting anything going in the late innings,” Cohen said. “We had some really good production from our first-year players today. And Seth had a great night. Four hits and two RBIs from your leadoff spot is a good night.”