April 14, 2006

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - The 17th-ranked College of Charleston Cougars banged out 18 hits and scored nine runs in the first three innings en route to a 17-1 victory over Western Carolina Friday night at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. Larry Cobb and Phillip Coker each had four hits and three RBI for the Cougars (29-6, 11-2 SoCon), while Phillip Coker added four RBI on just one hit. The Catamounts, who lost for just the third time in 14 home games, fall to 19-15, 7-6 SoCon.

The game started well for Western with a Cougar strikeout. However singles by Coker and Oliver Marmol followed by a walk to Campbell loaded the bases. Jess Easterling plated the first run with a sacrifice fly and Campbell later scored on the play thanks to one of four Catamount errors on the night.

The second, Charleston took advantage of another error, scoring three runs on one hit. The Cougars then put the game out of reach in the third, scoring four runs on five hits. Cobb and Coker each had RBIs in the frame, while Campbell drove in two.

Western had their chances early, getting at least one on base in each of the first three innings. In the fourth and the bases loaded, Charleston starter Nick Chigges got a strikeout to end the Cats' best chance to get back into the game. Chigges would improve to 6-1 on the season, scattering six hits over six innings. He allowed one run and three walks with five strikeouts.

After not scoring in the fourth, the Cougars tacked on three in the fifth, four in the sixth and one in the seventh for their 17 runs.

The Catamounts' lone tally came in the fifth. After singles by Steven Strausbaugh and Trey McDaniel, Blake Murphy delivered an RBI single to left-center field.

In addition to Cobb and Coker, Charleston's offense was led by Marmol, Ben Lassiter and Joey Friddle, each of whom had two hits. Easterling added three RBI.

Strausbaugh and Tim Hallam each had two hits for Wester. Caleb McConnell suffered the loss, falling to 1-3 on the season. He allowed three hits and five runs (three earned) with three walks and a strikeout. Andrew Larrimore closed out the game for Western, pitching a career-high four innings with five hits, two runs (one earned), no walks and two strikeouts.

The two teams will play game two of the three-game set on Saturday with first pitch set for 4 pm. The finale will come Sunday at 2 pm.