Box Score May 6, 2006
Final Stats
Cullowhee, N.C. -
With All-Southern Conference right fielder Steven Strausbaugh reduced to a designated hitter due to an injury, freshman Andy John more than filled his shoes, going 3-for-4 and driving in the winning run as Western Carolina scored three in the eighth for a 5-2 victory over UNC Greensboro Saturday night at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. Due to rain in the forecast, Sunday's series finale between the Catamounts (27-20, 13-10 SouCon) and the Spartans (19-28, 8-12 SoCon) has been moved up to 1 pm.
John, who also had some keys hits earlier in the season when Strausbaugh missed time due to a hand injury, came to the plate in the eighth with runners on second and third and facing one of top pitchers in the Southern Conference, Patrick Currin. John lined a ball just past the third baseman, which scored what proved to be the winning run.
In addition to John, Tim Hallam was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Western Carolina took early control, scoring once in the first. Hallam and Barrett Shaft had consecutive leadoff singles, putting runners on the corners. Jonathan Greene followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to right field.
The Catamounts extended their advantage with a run in the third. Hallam had a leadoff single and moved to second when Greene was hit by a pitch. On a hit and run, Hallam scored on Trey McDaniel's single.
The Spartans got on the board in the fourth thanks to consecutive leadoff singles by Jermaine Mitchell, Guy Welsh and Adam Deleo to make the score 2-1. WCU starter Tyler Sexton then struck out the next three batters to limit the damage.
Sexton pitched well, but would not get the decision. He lasted 7.2 innings, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) with one walk and nine strikeouts.
Both teams were held in check over the next three innings until the Spartans had a two-out rally to tie the game at 2-2 in the eighth. Sean Snell, who walked, was nearly out at first on a double play attempt, but he got back safely. Snell would steal second and score on Mitchell's double down the left field line. WCU closer Greg Holland entered the game and got an out to end the inning.
The Catamounts answered with three runs in the eighth, taking a 5-2 lead. Pinch hitter Scott Ward had a leadoff walk and was lifted for pinch runner Jason Haynes. A bunt single by Donnie Wilson put runners on second and third. A sacrifice bunt by Mitchell Hatley moved the runners up and Andy John broke the tie with a single to left. Hallam then plated Wilson with a single through the right side, moving John to third. Shaft capped the scoring with an RBI ground out.
The Spartans threatened in the ninth, getting two runners on with one out thanks to two walks. However, Holland got a strikeout and ground out to end the contest and pick up the victory.
Holland improves to 3-2 on the season. The sophomore did not allow a hit or a run with two walks and a strikeout.
For UNC Greensboro, Mitchell and Deleo had two hits and each drove in one. Starter Ryan Falcon lasted 3.2 innings, scattering seven hits for two runs with no walks and three strikeouts. Clinton McKinney relieved Falcon and only allowed one hit in 1.1 innings. Currin, who falls to 7-3, pitched the final three frames, allowing five hits and three runs.
