March 13, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - For the second consecutive game, Western Carolina shortstop Tim Hallam had a big day at the plate, including a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning, to lead the Catamounts to a 10-9 come-from-behind victory over Appalachian State Sunday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. With the win, WCU (10-4, 3-0 SoCon) sweeps the Mountaineers (3-14, 1-5) in the Cats' 2005 conference-opening series.

After both teams scored four runs in the eighth inning to make the score 9-9, WCU relief pitcher Brian McCullen (2-0) retired the side in order in the top of the ninth. In the home half of the ninth and with one out, Nate Hall tripled off the center field fence. ASU left-hander Josh Fish (0-2) then intentionally walked Jonathan Greene and Barrett Shaft to load the bases. Hallam, who had three hits on the day, lined a single down the left field line to plate pinch runner Jason Haynes for the winning run.

Western got things going early, putting a run on the board in the bottom of the first. With one out, Hallam doubled and scored one pitch later on a bloop single to right-center field by Chris Davis.

Appalachian took its first lead of the series in the top of the third, scoring two runs on four hits to make the score 2-1. Brad Peisel reached on a fielder's choice and J.J. Rollins followed with a two-out, RBI double to left-center. Jimmy Mathias then plated Rolllins with a single to right-center.

The Mountaineers padded their lead with a run in the top of the fourth. Joey Robinson took advantage of two WCU errors on one play to reach third and scored one batter later on a Chris Baker single.

The Catamounts cut their deficit to one (3-2) with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Trey McDaniel singled, stole second and moved to third on a Blake Murphy single. Hall followed with an RBI ground out. Western then threatened in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases with two outs. However, Fish came out of the Mountaineer bullpen and got a pop out to end the inning.

ASU road that momentum into the top of the sixth as Luis Arce hit the first pitch of the inning over the left-center field fence to make the score 4-2.

Western regained the advantage in the bottom of the sixth. After a Murphy walk and Hall reaching on an error, Greene hit a three-run home run, his first blast of the season, giving WCU a 5-4 lead.

The Mountaineers answered in the top of the seventh, tying the game at 5-5. Peisel had a leadoff double, moved to third on a ground out and scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Mathais.

The Apps then regained the lead with four runs in the top of the eighth. Kevin Butler started the frame with a homer to right field. Arce followed with a single and WCU relief pitcher Luke Miller got two outs before intentionally walking Brown. McCullen came out of the WCU bullpen and immediately walked Peisel to load the bases before an RBI single to right field by Rollins. However, there was an error on the play allowing Brown and Peisel to score and give App State a 9-5 lead.

Western knotted the game at 9-9 in the bottom of the eighth thanks to three hits and two App State errors. Hall reached on an error, moved up on a Shaft single and scored when Hallam reached on an error. Davis plated Shaft and Hallam with a two-run double to left field. Greenwood then drove in Davis with a double to center.

In addition to Hallam, Davis had three hits and three RBI for the Catamounts, while Shaft added two hits. McCullen was credited with the win, allowing one hit, one unearned run and a walk with two strikeouts in his 1.1 innings pitched. Bryan Tupper started on the mound for the Cats, allowing seven hits and three runs (two walks) with two strikeouts in four complete innings. Jeremy Ellenburg pitched the fifth and sixth innings, allowing two hits and a run, while Miller worked the next 1.2 innings before giving way to McCullen.

For the Mountaineers, Arce led the way with three hits and two runs scored, while Peisel, Rollins and Hunnicutt each contributed two hits. Jonathan Reeder started for the Apps, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing six hits, two runs and two walks with three strikeouts. Fish worked the final 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits, eight runs (six earned) and four walks with three strikeouts.

Western Carolina will play five games next week, all on the road. The road swing will start Tuesday (Mar. 15) at UNC Asheville then go to Boiling Springs on Wednesday for a game with Gardner-Webb with both contests starting at 3:00 pm. The Cats will then travel to South Carolina to face nationally-ranked College of Charleston for a three-game set, starting Friday at 5:00 pm.