May 8, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina All-America candidate Jared Greenwood had two hits and four RBI to lead his Catamounts to a 9-4 victory over Elon Sunday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. With the win, Western (26-19 overall, 14-12) secures a series victory for the sixth time in nine tries this season in league play while the Phoenix (28-21, 15-11) drop just their fourth SoCon series.

Greenwood had a pair of RBI in the fifth and sixth, driving in what proved to the game-winning run. Tim Hallam, Steven Strausbaugh, Trey McDaniel and Blake Murphy each added two hits as well.

On the mound, WCU starter Brian Barnes (3-2) picked up the win, scattering eight hits over six complete innings. The senior allowed two runs with five strikeouts while walking none. Fellow senior Derrick Hawk pitched the final three innings to earn his third save of the season, allowing six hits and two runs with four strikeouts. The performance by Barnes and Hawk marked the second consecutive day WCU pitchers did not surrender a walk as Brian McCullen and Luke Miller did not allow a free pass in the Cats' win Saturday. Western now has a streak of 20.2 innings pitched without allowing a base on balls.

Elon broke up a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth when Chris Vasami sent the first pitch of the inning over The Purple Monster in left field for his fifth blast of the season. After a one out double by Adam Weaver, Paul Bennett delivered a two-out double off The Purple Monster to put the Phoenix up 2-0.

The Cats answered back in the home half of the fifth. Barrett Shaft reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a single through the right side by Hallam. Greenwood followed with a two-run double to left-center field to even the score at 2-2.

Western broke the tie with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and the bases loaded, Elon relief pitcher Matt McSwain (5-1) unleashed a wild pitch to allow Nate Hall to score. For the second inning in a row, Greenwood drove in a pair of runs, hitting a two-run single to left. Strausbaugh then extended his hit streak to 13 games with an RBI single to right. (Strausbaugh additionally has a hit in 28 of his last 29 games.)

Blake Murphy is congratulated after going 2-for-4, including a two-run home run, in WCU's win over Elon Sunday.

Elon cut into its deficit with a run in the top of the seventh, making the score 6-3. Vasami singled and Ryan Radford doubled to start the inning. After a strikeout, Gary Morris was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Bennett followed with a sharp single to left, plating Vasami and keeping the bases loaded. Hawk, who came out of the bullpen to start the inning, would record a strikeout and a ground out to escape with just one run.

The Catamounts once again answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom if the seventh. After a one-out double by Hall, Murphy lifted a two-run homer run down the right field line for his second round -tripper of the season. Western added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Strausbaugh, who singled and advanced to third on a Chris Davis single, scored thanks to a balk by Kory Radford.

The Phoenix tried to mount a come back in the ninth. Singles by R. Radford, Morris and Bennett loaded the bases with one out. Price followed with an RBI ground out to put runners on the corners with two outs. However, Hawk got Evan Erickson to line out to center to end the game.

Bennett led Elon at the plate, getting his first career four-hit game. Drew Davis, who now has a 13-game hitting streak, Vasami and R. Radford each added two hits. McSwain suffered the loss, allowing two hits and four runs in 0.2 innings.

Western Carolina and Elon will complete the three-game series on Monday with first pitch set for 1:00 pm.