March 6, 2005

Final Stats

Conway, S.C. - The 23rd-ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull out a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Western Carolina Sunday afternoon at Coastal's own Springmaid Beach Resort Rumble at Watson Field.

Coastal (10-2) took advantage of an early WCU error and take an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Chris Todd leadoff with a single up the middle and moved to third one batter later thanks to a fielding error by the Catamount right fielder. Danny Morgan drove in Todd with an RBI ground out to shortstop.

The Chanticleers manufactured a run in the second as well. Jon Foisy drew a leadoff walk, stole second and moved to third on a ground out. Kevin Entsminger served up an RBI single to right to score Foisy.

Western (5-4) tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the fourth. Chris Davis and Trey McDaniel each walked and stole third and second, respectively. Steven Strausbaugh lined a single up the middle to plate both Davis and McDaniel.

In the top of the seventh, the Catamounts took a 3-2 lead. Jonathan Greene drew a one out walk and moved to third on a Barrett Shaft single. Tim Hallam legged out an infield single, driving in Greene on the play.

Coastal regained their advantage with two runs in the bottom of the eighth, making the score 4-3. Mike Costanzo drew a leadoff walk and Morgan was hit by a pitch. Chris Raber laid down a sacrifice bunt, but an attempted play at third was not in time, loading the bases. Foisy then lined a ball to left field, which was dropped to allow Costanzo score. However, pinch runner Dom Duggan was thrown out at third on the play, leaving runners on first and second. Aaron Verrett doubled to left center field to drive in Raber for what proved to be the game-winning run.

Hallam, Strausbaugh and Greene each had two hits for the Catamounts. WCU starting pitcher Bryan Tupper did not figure in the decision, leaving after 4.2 innings and the game tied. He allowed four hits, two runs (one earned) and two walks with two strikeouts. Luke Miller pitched well in relief, holding the Chants to just one hit in 1.1 innings. Derrick Hawk (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing one hit and two runs in 2.0 innings with a walk, a hit batter and a strikeout.

Coastal Carolina was led by Verrett, who had two hits, including the game-winning double in the eighth. CCU starting pitcher Kevin Marrie lasted 6.0 innings with six hits, two runs, three walks and six strikeouts. Andy DeLaGarza was in line for the loss, but escaped with a no decision, allowing two hits, one run and one walk with two strikeouts in two innings. Third baseman Costanzo moved to the mound in the ninth and got three consecutive round outs to earn his first save of the season.

Western Carolina will return to Cullowhee for a five-game home stand. The Cats will host Georgia State on Tuesday and Wednesday (Mar. 8-9) with both game set to begin at 3:00 pm. Western will then open Southern Conference action on Friday (Mar. 11) at 3:00 pm versus Appalachian State. The Catamounts and Mountaineers will also play single games on Saturday and Sunday, at 2:00 and 1:00 pm, respectively.