May 14, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Prior to Saturday's Western Carolina-Charleston Southern baseball game, WCU Athletics honored its six seniors. However, it was the Catamount freshmen who stole the show as Western (29-20) rallied twice to defeat the Buccaneers (24-26) at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. WCU freshman Blake Murphy had the game-winning hit in the ninth and fellow freshman Steven Strausbaugh, who extended his hitting streak to 17 games, delivered a key three-run double in the seventh.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh and Western trailing 3-0, Strausbuagh lined a three-run triple to left-center field, tying the contest. In the eighth, after CSU took a 4-3 lead, freshman Chris Ahearn would reach on a fielder's choice and eventually score on a Tim Hallam single to tie the game once again. Hallam, who stole second and moved on the third on the play, scored on the backend of a double steal to put Western up 5-4. Jared Greenwood, who walked and started the double steal, tried to advance to home on the play thanks to a throwing error, but was thrown out on a "bang-bang" play at the plate.

In the top of the ninth, Charleston Southern had some creative scoring as well. The Bucs had a walk and a single to start the frame. After a failed sacrifice bunt, Billy Dalton stole third, putting runners on the corners with one out. Western looked to keep the lead, but a passed ball on a strikeout allowed Dalton to score and tie the game at 5-5. WCU senior closer Clint Ramsey (2-0) regrouped to get a strikeout and get out of the inning.

In the home half of the ninth, Strausbaugh cued a ball off the end of his bat for an infield single and would leave the game for freshman pinch runner Jason Haynes. Two batters later, freshman Nate Hall lined a single up the middle on a hit-and-run, putting runners on the corners. After a walk to freshman Barrett Shaft loaded the bases, Murphy sent the first pitch he saw to left field for the game-winner.

Buccaneer closer Nino Fasulo (0-3) suffered the loss, allowing three hits, a run and a walk in 0.1 innings.

As they did last night, the Buccaneers jumped out to an early run, doing their damage with two outs. After two quick strikeouts, Brian Sole walked and Brad Woods was hit by a pitch. Designated hitter Jeff Kolhagen lined a two-run doubled to right-center field, giving CSU a 2-0 advantage.

In the third, Charleston Southern got back-to-back singles from Woods and Kolhagen to put runners on the corners. Graham Maiden followed with a squeeze bunt, plating Woods on the well executed play and making the score 3-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, Western loaded the bases on a walk to pinch hitter Ahearn, a walk to Hallam and Greenwood was hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Strausbaugh's three-run double. Strausbaugh, who was 2-for-4 on the day, raised his batting average two points to .398 on the season.

The Buccaneers regained the advantage (4-3) in the eighth. With two outs, Woods hit a solo home run over the center field fence, his third round-tripper of the season.

In addition to Strausbaugh and Murphy getting two hits each, Hallam was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Hall was 2-for-4. CSU was led by Kolhagen, who was 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Woods added two hits.

Western Carolina and Charleston Southern will complete their three-game series on Sunday with first pitch set for 1:00 pm.