April 24, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Dustin Evans pitched a complete game and Derrick Smith went 3-for-5 with three RBI as Georgia Southern head coach Rodney Hennon won his 300th career game, defeating Western Carolina, 8-1, Sunday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. By winning the weekend series, the Eagles improve to 27-12 overall and 13-4 in the Southern Conference, while the Catamounts fall to 22-18, 10-11.

Evans (6-4) scattered five hits over his nine innings, allowing one run and three walks with six strikeouts. Smith, who hit his 13th home run of the season, got offensive help from Flint Wipke (2-for-5 with three RBI) and Jason Hurst (3-for-5 with the RBI).

The Eagles broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth as Hurst had a leadoff single and scored on Wipke's triple off the right field fence. Smith, the designated hitter, followed with an RBI single to center, making the score 2-0.

Georgia Southern threatened in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs. However, WCU pitcher Luke Miller came out of the bullpen and got a ground out to end the inning. The Eagles then put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the sixth, but Catamount senior pitcher Derrick Hawk got a line out to first and a strikeout to escape unscathed.

Western's luck of avoiding runs ran out in the seventh as Georgia Southern hit a pair of two-run homers. Logan Phillips had a leadoff single and scored on a home run to left by Hurst. After a walk to Greg Dowling and an out, Smith hit a two-run home run to right-center field.

The Eagles tacked on two more runs in the eighth. With two outs, GSU loaded the bases thanks to a hit batter, a single and a walk. Wipke plated James Payne and Hurst with a two-run single to left-center.

Western avoided the shutout in the bottom of the eighth. Tim Hallam reached on a fielder's choice and Jared Greenwood walked, setting up an RBI single Steven Strausbaugh.

Catamount freshman Greg Holland (1-1) pitched well, but suffered the loss, allowing six hits, two runs and two walks with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Western Carolina will hit the road for four straight games, starting Wednesday (April 27 at 7:00 pm versus UNC Asheville. The game will be played at historic McCormick Field in downtown Asheville.