Feb. 19, 2006

Game One Final Stats
Game Two Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina split a Sunday doubleheader with Butler in the teams' 2006 season opener at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The Bulldogs scored two in the 10th to win game one, 5-3, while the Catamounts scored two in the bottom of the sixth to win the seven-inning game two.

The reigning Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, Steven Strausbaugh, was 2-for-6 in the two games, hitting two home runs, driving in three and scoring three times. Senior Tim Hallam was 3-for-8 and sophomore Barrett Shaft was 3-of-9. For the Bulldogs, Jeff Brown was 3-for-7, scoring four of Butler's seven runs in the twin bill.

In game one, Western looked to take early control. While scoring once for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, the Catamounts were caught stealing, picked off and left the bases loaded. Strausbaugh, who was hit by a pitch, would score after an infield single by Jonathan Greene and a Butler error. A walk loaded the bases for WCU, but Bulldog pitcher Jon Dages escaped further damage with a strikeout. Dages would not factor in the decision, but allowed four hits, one run and three walks with four strikeouts in four innings.

In the top of the third, Butler took Stephen Gill delivered a double and later scored on a two-out single to right by Brown. After a walk to Joe Pauley moved Brown to second, Alex Rinearson plated Brown with an RBI single to center.

In the top of the eighth, Brown gave his Bulldogs a 3-1 cushion with a one-out home run over the center field fence. However, in the home half and after a leadoff Shaft single, Strausbaugh knotted the game at 3-3 with a two-run blast to left-center.

The Bulldogs took advantage of three walks and a Catamount error to take a 5-3 advantage in the top of the 10th. After a leadoff single by Gill, Brown and Pauley each walked to load the bases with one out. Rinearson grounded to third, but an error allowed Gill to score and keep the bases loaded. Then, with two outs, Rick Betsch walked to provide the final margin.

Relief pitcher Brian Deter picked up the win, pitching the final two innings and scattering three hits and one walk. Western's Greg Holland suffered the loss. He allowed one hit and two unearned runs in two innings with four walks and one strikeout. Also for the Cats on the mound, Brian McCullen and Bryan Tupper would combined to strikeout eight in seven innings with just one walk.

In game two, Strausbaugh got WCU on the board first with a solo home run in the bottom of the first. Trey McDaniel followed with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Greene single.

Butler cut its deficit in half in the top of the third. With WCU starter Tyler Sexton working on a perfect game, number nine hitter Ricky Chomicz reached on an error with two outs. Dustin Bucalo made WCU pay for the miscue with an RBI double to left.

In the sixth, the Bulldogs knotted the game at 2-2 on a Catamount error. Brown, who was on second after a one-out double, scored on a WCU throwing error on Clayton Deeb's ground ball. In the home half, Western was then the beneficiary of a double and a Butler error to score the winning runs. Jason Haynes reached on a two-out, bunt single. Hallam followed with an RBI double, then scored on the play thanks to a throwing error by Butler.

Transfer Tyler Sexton picked up the win in his Catamount debut. He pitched the first six innings, allowing four hits, two unearned runs and one walk with seven strikeouts. Fellow transfer Brock Thornburg pitched the final inning, striking out one, to earn the save. Craig Costello suffered the loss, allowing two hits, two runs and two walks in two innings.

Western Carolina will hit the road three games at the Stetson Tournament (Feb. 24-26), facing South Florida, Stetson and Illinois. He Catamounts' next home game will be Feb. 28, hosting region rival UNC Asheville at 3:00 pm.