April 9, 2006

Western Carolina at Georgia Southern - Game Two
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Western Carolina at Georgia Southern - Game Three
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Final Stats

Statesboro, Ga. - Western Carolina only managed two hits in game one of a Sunday afternoon doubleheader with Georgia Southern to drop a 7-1 decision to the Eagles. However, in game two, Jonathan Greene's two-run home run in the eighth lifted the Catamounts (19-13, 7-5 Southern Conference) to a 4-2 victory to ensure a split with the Eagles (18-17, 6-3 SoCon). Western Carolina will return to action Tuesday (April 11), hosting nationally-ranked Clemson at 7 pm. Prior to the game, WCU will retire the number (23) of Hall of Fame player and coach Keith LeClair.

In game one, Western Carolina scored first. Jason Haynes started the third inning with a walk and a stolen base. With two outs, Steven Strausbaugh singled up the middle to drive in Haynes. However, that single was just one of two hits the Catamounts could muster (Trey McDaniel doubled as well) versus starting pitcher Dustin Evans, who improved to 1-1 on the season, and relief pitcher A.J. Battisto, who earned his first save.

In the home half of the third, Georgia Southern scored four runs, which proved to be enough for the victory. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jeremiah Parker singled through the left side of the infield to plate two. Then, Mike Economos followed with a two-run triple.

The Eagles pushed their advantage to 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth as Parker hit a one-out home run to left.

In the eighth, GSU loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. With two outs, Chris Shehan singled and drove in two for a 7-1 Eagle advantage.

Tyler Sexton (5-3) suffered the loss for Western. He allowed 10 fits and five runs over seven innings with just one walk and six strikeouts.

As it did in game one, Western struck first thanks to an RBI by Strausbaugh. Tim Hallam started the game by being hit by a pitch and, two batters later, Strausbaugh doubled down the left field line to pate Hallam.

The Catamounts added to its lead with a run in the fourth. Donnie Wilson walked and moved to second on a Jason Haynes sacrifice bunt. Barrett Shaft followed with an RBI single to left.

In the sixth, Georgia Southern started the home half with a single by Shehan and a walk to Greg Dowling. The two moved up on a sacrifice bunt and Shehan scored on a wild pitch. Dowling would then score on a misplayed pop up by Mike Economos, which went down as an RBI double to tie the game at 2-2.

McDaniel started the eighth for Western with a single through and later scored on Greene's fifth home run of the season.

The Eagles threatened in the ninth with two runners on base, but Greg Holland got aground out to end the contest and pick up his fifth save. He pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and two walks with a strikeout. Brian McCullen was credited with the win, improving to 5-1 on the season. He allowed two hits and two runs over two innings in relief of Caleb McConnell. McConnell pitched well, but did not figure in the decision. He only allowed two hits and two walks with no runs and four strikeouts in two innings.

David Cogswell suffered the loss, falling to 1-4 on the season.