April 6, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina senior Chris Davis was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI to lead his Catamounts (19-10) to an 8-3 victory over region rival UNC Asheville (9-20) Wednesday evening at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.

The Catamounts used seven pitchers in the game, allowing just seven hits, with starter Andrew Larrimore getting credit for the win. A redshirt freshman from Kernersville who had only pitched one inning prior to tonight's contest, Larrimore (1-0) picked up his first career win, lasting 3.0 innings and allowing three hits, one run and two walks with a strikeout.

The Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead in the first. Tony Campana and Evan Dawson had leadoff hits and Johnny Martinez walked to load the bases. With one out, Elliott Arrington brought home Campana with an RBI single to center. Larrimore got an inning-ending double play to limit the damage.

Western scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the second. Steven Strausbaugh and Davis singled with each scoring on a two-run double by Nate Hall. With the hit, Strausbaugh now has a 13-game hitting streak, the longest by a WCU player this season. The Catamounts extended their lead in the bottom of the third. After a leadoff double by Barrett Shaft, Jared Greenwod lined an RBI single to center.

After being held scoreless for the fourth and fifth innings, Western scored three unearned runs to take a 6-1 lead. After a leadoff single by Trey McDaniel, which extended hits hitting streak to 11 games, Davis laid down a sacrifice bunt, but reached due to a throwing error, putting runners on second and third. Jonathan Greene plated McDaniel with an RBI single to center. Jason Haynes brought home Davis with a sacrifice fly to center and Shaft followed with an RBI single.

UNCA scored a unearned run in the top of the seventh. Arrington reached on a single through the right side of the infield, moved to second on a wild pitch and on to third on a ground ball. Ben Kerr grounded back to the pitcher and Arrington was caught too far off third. However, Catamount lefty Jon Kibler threw wild to third, allowing the Bulldogs to make it a 6-2 game.

The Catamounts answered back with two runs in the home half of the seventh, making the score 8-2. Greenwood and Strausbaugh had back-to-back singles to start the frame. After a ground ball moved the runners up 90 feet each, Davis hit a two-run single up the middle.

The Bulldogs cut their deficit to five (8-3) in the top of the eighth. Campana reached on an infield single, moved to second on a ground ball and scored on an RBI single to center by Josh Coyle. Western was held scoreless in the bottom of the eighth and WCU closer Clint Ramsey struck out the side in the top of the ninth to end the contest.

In addition to Davis' big night at the plate, Shaft, Greenwood and Strausbaugh each had two hits. For the Bulldogs, Arrington was 3-for-4 and Campana had two hits in four at bats. Alan DeRatt (1-6) suffered the loss, allowing seven hits and three runs in 5.0 innings. However, he did not walk a batter and struck out five.

Western Carolina will continue its five-game home stand with a three-game series with East Tennessee State this weekend, starting Friday night at 7:00 pm.