Feb. 27, 2005

Final Stats

Houston, Texas - Western Carolina scored three runs in the top of the ninth, two runs in the top of the 10th and one run in the top of the 12th to post a 14-13 come-from-behind win versus New Mexico at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational Tournament at Reckling Park.

In the 12th, Chris Davis, who was 5-of-7 with a grand slam, singled to start the frame, moving to second and third on consecutive ground outs. Freshman Jason Haynes delivered an infield single to drive in the winning run.

In the bottom of the 12th, Sylva native Derrick Hawk saw his first action of the season and came through with the save. He allowed a leadoff double, but got a fly out, a ground out and a fly out to end the contest. Hawk entered the game in relief of Brian McCullen (1-0), who earned the win. The junior pitched the ninth, 10th and 11th innings, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned).

Western set the stage for the extra inning win by scoring three in the ninth. Trey McDaniel, Mike McGowan and Steven Strausbaugh each walked to start the inning. Barrett Shaft reached on a fielder's choice, due to a throwing error, allowing pinch runners Chris Ahearn and Haynes to score. With runners on second and third, pinch hitter Blake Murphy walked to load the bases. Tim Hallam was then hit by a pitch, forcing across the tying run.

In the 10th inning, Jared Greenwood walked for third time of the contest, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Strausbaugh RBI single. Shaft followed with a single to center to plate Strausbaugh. In the home half and with one out, Chris Carlson reached on an error and Daniel Stovall knotted the game once again with a two-run home run to left.

New Mexico jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Western answered with a run in the third, thanks to a McDaniel RBI single. In the bottom of the third, the Lobos exploded for four runs on four hits.

The Cats got right back in the game in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs to make the score 6-6. The big hit in the fourth for WCU was a grand slam by Davis, while McDaniel added an RBI single.

However, the Lobos jumped back on top with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, including a two-run double by Stovall. Western cut its deficit to one (9-8) with two runs in the top of the fifth, including a leadoff home run by Strausbaugh, only to see New Mexico tack on single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Davis led the way for Western, going 5-of-7 with four RBI and two runs scored. Strausbaugh contributed four hits in six at bats, while McDaniel added two hits in four at bats. WCU starter Bryan Tupper only lasted 2.2 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs (five earned) with a walk and two strikeouts. Greg Holland pitched the next 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and four runs. Junior Luke Miller pitched the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, had held the Lobos in check, allowing three hits and one run.

The Lobos were led by Stovall (5-for-7 with four RBI) and Garrick Haymore (4-for-6 with two RBI), while Ryan Barba, Jordan Pacheco and Jeff Grady each had two hits. Karsten Gaarder started for the Lobos, lasting 4.0 innings. He did allow seven hits and six runs, but just one earned run. Danny Ray Herrera (0-1) suffered the loss, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing five hits and three runs (two earned).

Western Carolina will face host team and seventh-ranked Rice later tonight. First pitch is set for approximately 7 pm (CT). Also Rice's official website will provide "live stats" during the game. Simply go to http://www.riceowls.com/sports/baseball and click "live stats" above the photo of the Rice media guide.