April 3, 2007

Lexington, Ky. - Severe thunderstorms that were forecasted to hit late on Tuesday night arrived early, spoiling a great start for the Western Carolina Catamount baseball team at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Stadium officials ceased play when lightning was reported within the vicinity of the facility and the tarp was pulled. Five minutes later, torrential downpours made the field unplayable with heavier rains expected throughout the night.

The 11th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats manufactured a run in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of a sacrifice bunt, stolen base, and RBI sacrifice fly to right center field to take a 1-0 lead after one. However, with one swing of the bat on a 2-0 count in the top of the second, senior transfer John Ingram tied the game with a solo home run to right center field.

An inning later, Western (17-11) jumped on top as freshman Brent Greer laced a one-out double down the third base line and came home on an RBI single up the middle by junior Barrett Shaft for a 2-1 Catamount advantage.

At the time of the weather delay, the Wildcats (24-4-1) had a runner at second base thanks to a walk and a stolen base with one out. WCU starter, freshman Chris Masters, had yet to allow a Wildcat hit despite giving up one earned run.

Unfortunately, none of the statistics will officially count as the game did not reach the fifth inning.

Western Carolina returns to action this Thursday through Saturday in Southern Conference action as it visits Davidson for a three-game set. First pitch on Thursday and Friday night are scheduled for 7:00 pm, with Saturday's finale set for 2:00 pm.

All three games will be broadcast by the Catamount Sports Network and can be heard locally in Western North Carolina on WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5 in Cullowhee or online at www.WWCUFM.com with the pre-game show airing 15 minutes prior to the first scheduled first pitch.