March 6, 2007

Final Stats

Johnson City, Tenn. - Freshman left-hander Chris Masters surrendered one run on five hits while striking out five and senior transfer John Ingram went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored as Western Carolina defeated the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, 7-4, at Cardinal Park in Johnson City, Tenn., on Tuesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action.

Despite stranding 14 runners on base, the Catamounts (7-4) collected seven runs on 13 hits as they head home to play nine of their next ten games in Cullowhee.

Masters (2-0) held the Bucs scoreless through the fifth inning before allowing a lead-off double to right center and a two-out single to plate ETSU's first run, cutting Western's lead at the time to three, 4-1. He was lifted following a scoreless sixth for sophomore right-hander Corey Martin, who earned his first career save after tossing three effective innings, giving up three earned runs and striking out one.

East Tennessee State (9-5) threatened in the home half of the first as center fielder, C.J. Lee doubled off the wall in left with one away. However, on the ensuing batter, Lee was picked off second by Masters. The rookie hurler ended the Buccaneer threat by striking out Anthony Russell to end the first inning.

WCU loaded the bases half an inning later with two out, capitalizing on a walk, a single and a Bucs fielding error, but were unable to plate a run to keep the game deadlocked at zero.

Western was able to erase the scoreless tie in the top half of the fourth. After retiring the first two batters of the frame, ETSU reliever Jimmy Tidwell, who came on in place of starter Tony Lombardi in the middle of the frame, allowed the next four batters to reach base including a Barrett Shaft two-run single up the middle, scoring Brent Greer and Nick Liles to put the Catamounts up 2-0.

Western added two more runs in the fifth to pull ahead 4-0. Senior Kenny Smith drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a single up the middle by classmate Ingram. Smith touched home when Liles singled to left. The Catamounts added the second run on a Greer bunt single followed by designated hitter Drew Saberhagen's first RBI of the season as he reached on a fielder's choice.

Ingram continued his damage at the dish in the sixth, belting a two-run double through the left side, scoring Jonathan Greene and Blake Murphy to raise his RBI total to 11 on the season. The Alpharetta, Ga., native added a three-bagger to center in the seventh, scoring on Liles' single up the middle to give the rookie a pair of RBI in the win.

Martin entered the game in the seventh and allowed three hits through the first four batters as Buccaneer lead-off batter Mendez drove in his second run on the afternoon. East Tennessee State added two runs in the ninth inning, but Martin held on for his first save.

In addition to Ingram's four-hit day, Liles finished 3-for-5 and Greer was 2-for-4 with his first collegiate double. Shaft finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, both coming in the fourth inning.

Western Carolina returns home on Wednesday to play host to the Mercer Bears at 3:00 pm at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. Fans can follow all of the action on live GameTracker, presented by Carolina West Sports Medicine and West Care Health Systems.