March 11, 2006

Final Stats

Elon, N.C. - Tyler Sexton had career highs by pitching eight innings and striking out 11, while Trey McDaniel was 4-for-5 with three RBI, to give Western Carolina a 6-1 victory over Elon Saturday afternoon at Latham Park.

The game last nearly four-and-a-half hours due to a rain/lightening delay in the top of the sixth. Despite the break, Sexton, who improves to 3-1, was able to continue on the mound for the Catamounts, getting six of his career-high 11 K's in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.

Western staked an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Grey Gregory, who reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on a wild pitch and stole third. Two batters later, McDaniel lined a single up the middle to plate Gregory.

The Catamounts extended their advantage to 3-0 in the top of the third. With two outs, Steven Strausbaugh and McDaniel had back-to-back singles. Blake Murphy brought home the two with a triple down the right field line.

Elon got on the board with a run in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Grant Rembert was hit by a pitch then he took third on a single by Paul Bennett. Ryan Addison followed with an RBI infield single to short. The Phoenix could have caused more noise in the frame, but Western had a double play on a strikeout and caught stealing.

The Catamounts got that run back and added another in the fifth. Gregory had a leadoff walk and with one out, McDaniel hit a two-run home run to right-center for his third blast of the season.

In the bottom of the fifth, Elon threatened again. With a runner on third and one out, Austin Boehme hit a fly ball to center and Catamount sophomore Barrett Shaft threw out Donny Jobe at the plate for the final out.

In the top of the eighth, the Catamounts took advantage of a Phoenix error to make the score 6-1. Donnie Wilson, attempting to reach on a bunt, got on base and advanced to second due to a throwing error by the third baseman. Tim Hallam followed with an RBI single to left.

Greg Holland came out of the bullpen in the ninth and got all three batters he faced out to end the contest.

In addition to McDaniel leading WCU offensively, Hallam snapped an 0-for-12 slump by going 3-for-4 with an RBI Saturday.

For the Phoenix, Ryan Basham suffered his first loss on the season, falling to 3-1. He allowed eight hits, five runs and three walks with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings before being ejected. Jobe and Chris Price led the Phoenix by getting two hits each.

Western Carolina and Elon will conclude their three-game series on Sunday with first pitch set for 1:30 pm.