March 14, 2007

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - UNC Asheville's David Williams' seventh inning double scored the go-ahead run after Western Carolina had tied the game with senior Kenny Smith's eighth home run of the season in the home half of the sixth  as the Bulldogs earned a 7-6 victory over over the Catamounts Wednesday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.

UNCA's Williams (4-for-5, 1 RBI) and Rob Vernon (3-for-4, 4 RBI) led the Bulldogs offensively and the Bulldog bullpen held the Catamounts to three hits and no runs for the final three innings to secure the win.

Western Carolina (10-7) opened the scoring in the second frame with a lead-off single by Jonathan Greene followed by a Blake Murphy walk. John Ingram drove in Greene from third for the first run of the game. Freshman Nick Liles kept the inning alive and extended his hitting streak to nine games with an RBI single to score Kenny Smith from second. Mitchell Hatley drove in the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to right field to put the Catamounts up 3-0.

UNC Asheville (5-14) answered in the third on a Matt Henson RBI single to plate Steven Burnich. After Catamount starter Brock Thornburg allowed a single and walk which loaded the bases for Rob Vernon who then connected on a grand-slam home run to left-field to put the Bulldogs up 5-3.

UNCA added another run in the sixth on a sacrifice bunt by John Whited which scored Elliot Arrington from third extending the Bulldogs lead to 6-3.

Western responded in the bottom half of the sixth inning as Smith belted a three-run homer to dead center - his eighth of the year - to tie the game 6-6.

UNCA posted the game winning run in the seventh when Williams doubled down the left-field line to score Kevin Mattison from second, giving them a 7-6 lead which proved to be enough for the Bulldog victory.

Western reliever Tyler Johnson (1-3) was the losing pitcher as he gave up three hits and one run in 1 1/3 innings of

Dan Weller (1-0) was credited with the win and Ben Buchanan pitched the ninth inning for his second save of the year.

Western was led by Ingram (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and Smith (1-for-4, 3 RBI).

Western remains at home for a three-game series against Columbia University beginning Friday at 4:00 pm.