March 23, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - A solo home run by freshman Nate Hall and a walk-off, two-run double by freshman Steven Strausbaugh in the bottom of the ninth propelled Western Carolina to a 7-6 victory over mountain rival UNC Asheville Wednesday night at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts, playing their first home night game of the season, improve to 12-7, while the Bulldogs fall to 6-14.

In the ninth for Western, Hall got the Cats' rally started with a leadoff home run, his fourth homer of the season. Pinch hitter Grey Gregory drew a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Tim Hallam followed with ground ball to shortstop, but an error allowed him to reach first. Jared Greenwood would load the bases with a walk, setting up Strausbaugh's game-winning, two-run double to center field.

Catamount relief pitcher Brian McCullen (3-1) picked up the win, retiring three of the four hitters he faced in the top of the ninth. UNCA third baseman Alan DeRatt moved to the mound for the bottom of the ninth and suffered the loss, falling to 0-4 on the season. He allowed two hits, two walks and three runs in one-third of an inning pitched.

A quartet of Catamount freshmen led the way offensively as Barrett Shaft, Strausbaugh, Greene and Hall each had two hits. Greene added three RBI, thanks to a three-run home run, while Strausbaugh and Hall each drove in a pair.

The Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead as Josh Coyle, who was 3-for-3 with three runs scored, hit his fourth home run of the season to start to top of the second. The Catamounts used a leadoff double by Trey McDaniel, a ground out and a Hall sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom half.

UNCA regained the advantage in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on three hits. Kevin Mattison starting the inning with a single off first base. After a ground out and walk, Elliott Arrington singled to plate Mattison and move Coyle to third. John Whited followed with a safety squeeze to drive in Coyle and DeRatt would single to plate Arrington.

The Bulldogs tacked on two more runs in the top of the sixth to take a 6-1 lead. Coyle singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Arrington. Whited then singled to bring home Arrington.

Western answered in the bottom of the sixth, cutting its deficit to two (6-4). Strausbaugh doubled to start the home half and McDaniel followed with a walk. Greene than cleared the bases with a three-run home run to center, his second blast of the season.

Western Carolina will return to action this Easter weekend to host Southern Conference rival The Citadel. The teams will play a three-game set, starting Friday at 7:00 pm. Saturday's contest will begin at 4:00 pm, while first pitch Sunday has been pushed back to 2:00 pm.