March 9, 2005

Game One Final Stats: WCU 3 - GaSt 1

Game Two Final Stats: WCU 12 - GaSt 7

Cullowhee, N.C. - Chris Davis had two RBI in game one, while Trey McDaniel, Barrett Shaft and Steven Strausbaugh each collected four hits in game two as Western Carolina claimed a doubleheader sweep over Georgia State Wednesday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts (7-4) won game one 3-1 and defeated the Panthers (8-5) 12-7 in game two.

Junior Brandon McDowell (1-0) picked up the win in relief in game one, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Junior college transfer Mike Buda (1-0) was credited with the win in game two in his first start of the season. He pitched 4.0 innings, allowing three hits, two runs and two walks with a strikeouts.

In game one, WCU starter Greg Holland worked out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the second. He looked to get out of another jam in the third. However, two errors led to a Panthers' run. Ryan Sterling led off the frame by reaching on an error. After an out, Rusty Bennett walked to put runners on first and second. Jean-Michel Rochon-Salvas grounded to short, but reached on an error to lead the bases. Justin Newman would make the Catamounts pay for the miscues by delivering an RBI single to right.

Western answered in the bottom half of the third, tying the game at 1-1. Shaft walked, moved to second on a Grey Gregory single and to third on a ground out. Davis plated Shaft with a sharp single to shortstop.

The Cats took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Gregory singled through the left side to start the home half. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and, on the play, moved to third thanks to a throwing error. Davis came through with his second RBI of the contest with a sacrifice fly to left field.

Western added to its advantage with a run in the bottom of the eighth, making the score 3-1. Jared Greenwood had a leadoff home run to left-center field fence, the second blast of the season for the Johnny Bench Award candidate.

WCU junior Brian McCullen allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth, but struck out two to earn his third save of the season. Matt Handley was saddled with the loss in game one for the Panthers. He fell to 0-1 on the season after pitching 5.0 innings and allowing five hits, two runs (one earned) and four walks with a strikeout.

In game two, Western took an early 6-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Strausbaugh and McDaniel had back-to-back singles and Nate Hall walked to load the bases. Jonathan Greene, who ended up with three RBI in game two, followed with a two-run single up the middle. Brandon Zollman moved Hall and Greene to third and second, respectively. Chris Ahearn would strike out after Zollman, but he would reach first on a wild pitch, allowing Hall to score and putting Greene on third. Ahearn would advance to second on a wild pitch and would score, along with Greene, on a two-run single up the middle by Barrett Shaft. Shaft stole second and would score on a single by Greenwood. Greenwood moved to second on a passed ball and score on a single by Strausbaugh. Strausbaugh would move to second on a wild pitch and score on a single by McDaniel.

In the third, the Catamounts expanded their lead to 9-0. With two outs, Ahearn walked and moved to third on a single by Shaft. Davis followed with a single through the right side to plate Ahearn.

Georgia State got on the board in the top of the fourth. Chris Dentler and Charlie Pelt had back-to-back home runs to start the frame. To make the score 9-2.

The Panthers used the long ball in the top of the sixth to cut their deficit to five, 9-4. Dentler started the inning by reaching on a error. After two strikeouts, catcher Zac Wright blasted a two-run home run over the left field fence.

Western got one run back in the bottom of the sixth, making the score 10-4. Greenwood had a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by McDaniel. Two batters later, Greene singled to left to drive in Greenwood. In the bottom of the seventh, WCU pushed its advantage to 12-4. Ahearn drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a Shaft single. Davis followed with an RBI fielder's choice to score Ahearn. Greenwood, who reached on a fielders choice, scored on a Strausbaugh double.

In the ninth, Georgia State used a pair of home runs to tack on three runs to provide the final 12-7 margin. Wright sent a 2-2 pitch to straight away center field for his second home run of the contest to start the ninth. Justin Meyer followed by reaching first on a n error. After a strikeout and a ground out, Eric Suttle hit a towering home run over the left field wall to cap the scoring.

Panther starter John Palmer (1-1) suffered the loss in game two. He pitched 1.2 innings, allowing six hits, eight runs and a walk with three strikeouts. For Georgia State, Suttle and Newman each had two hits in game one, while Suttle, Sterling and Wright each had two hits in game two.

Western Carolina will return to Childress Field/Hennon Stadium for three games this weekend, opening up Southern Conference play with a three-game set with Appalachian State. Friday's game is scheduled to start at 3 pm, followed by games on Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm and 1 pm, respectively.