March 15, 2005

Final Stats

Asheville, N.C. - Western Carolina pounded out 17 hits, including three each by Tim Hallam, Steven Strausbaugh and Jonathan Greene, to hand UNC Asheville an 8-5 setback Tuesday afternoon at Greenwood Field.

Strausbaugh added three RBI, including his team-leading fifth home run of the season, while Chris Davis drove in two on two hits and Hallam scored three times.

Western (11-4) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first. The Catamounts got four consecutive singles by Barrett Shaft, Hallam, Davis and Strausbaugh.

UNCA (4-10) trimmed its deficit to one (2-1) in the bottom of the second as Tony Wall had a leadoff walk and scored one batter later on an RBI double by Nathan Durham.

The Cats padded their advantage with two runs in the top of the third. Hallam came through with a one-out single and would score on a home run by Strausbaugh. The Bulldogs answered with a run in the bottom half to make the score 4-2. Tony Campana had a leadoff infield single, stole second and moved to third on a ground ball. Evan Dawson then plated Campana with an RBI ground out.

The Bulldogs made it a one-run game once again (4-3) in the bottom of he fifth as Kevin Mattison had a leadoff home run. In the bottom of the sixth, UNCA loaded the bases thanks to an error and back-to-back walk to chase WCU relief pitcher Clint Ramsey. New Catamount pitcher Brian Barnes came out of the bullpen to get a pop out and end the threat.

Ramsey, who pitched 2.2 innings in relief of WCU starter Brandon McDowell, was credited with the win to improve to 1-0 on the season. He allowed two hits and one run with two walks and two strikeouts. McDowell pitched the first three innings, allowing two hits and two runs with four walks and a strikeout.

Western scored three runs on five hits in the top of the seventh to make the score 7-3. After a leadoff single, Hallam moved to second on a balk and scored a two pitchers later on a RBI double down the left field line by Davis. Davis would steal second and score on a Trey McDaniel sacrifice fly. Strausbaugh, who reached on an infield single, moved to third on a Jonathan Greene single and scored on a Nate Hall single to center.

In the bottom of the eighth, Elliott Arrington started the home half with a double and scored on back-to-back ground balls to second, the second being an RBI by catcher John Whited.

The Catamount answered with a run in the top of the ninth. Hall, who reached on a fielder's choice, moved to second on the play due to an error. A fielder's choice to Hall on third and he would score on an RBI ground out. In the home half of the ninth, Mattison swung at a pitch in the dirt, but reached first on a throwing error. With two outs, pinch hitter Charles Pippit singled up the middle to move up Mattison. Durham followed with a double to left center to plate Mattison and provide the final 8-5 margin.

For the Bulldogs, Durham, Arrington and Campana each had two hits, while Durham drove in a pair. UNCA starter Eric Brotzman (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing 11 hits and four runs in six complete innings.

Western Carolina will return to action Wednesday (Mar. 16) at Gardner-Webb. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm.