Box Score March 22, 2008
Box Score
Statesboro, Ga. -
Georgia Southern plated eight runs in the home half of the fourth inning, erasing Western Carolina's early 6-2 lead. Trailing by three, 13-10, the Catamounts were able to plate two runs in the top of the ninth inning but were unable to complete the come-back bid, falling 13-12 on Saturday afternoon at Clement Field/Stallings Field.
The loss was Western's fourth-straight, its longest slide of the season. It also marked the Catamounts' first three-game series loss since dropping all three in last season's conference opener at the College of Charleston, snapping the streak at 10-straight including SoCon and non-conference series.
Western (6-13, 0-2 SoCon) scratched the scoreboard first with three runs in the top of the first inning. Senior Blake Murphy drew a two-out walk and advanced to second on his sixth stolen base of the season. The next batter, junior J.C. Lyons lifted an RBI single to center to drive in Murphy for the early 1-0 lead. With Lyons aboard, freshman Ryan Mathews pushed the lead to three on the first pitch he saw with a two-run blast to centerfield.
The Catamounts stretched their advantage to five with two runs in the top of the second. With sophomore Tyler Kirkpatrick aboard, WCU got back-to-back singles by classmates Nick Liles and Brent Greer to plate its fourth run of the game. Murphy then doubled down the left field line to score Liles from third base for the 5-0 lead after two.
Georgia Southern (13-8, 2-0 SoCon) trimmed Western's advantage to four with a solo home run in the bottom of the second and a manufactured run in the third with the Catamounts answering with one run in the top of the fourth. Junior Mitchell Hatley opened the inning with a single to left and was scored from first on a double laced down the left field line by Liles.
However, the Eagles exploded in the home half of the fourth with eight runs on six hits, capitalizing on two hit bats men and their second grand slam in as many days. Junior Chris Shehan took a 1-1 pitch over the fence in centerfield for four of his career-high seven RBI. When the dust had finally settled in the fourth, GSU led 10-6.
Sophomore Dylan de Graaf connected on his second career home run in the fifth, scoring freshman Matt Johns in the process to pull the Catamounts back with two runs, 10-8. But, the Eagles answered WCU's two-spot with a two-RBI double to right center by Shehan to again stretch the edge to four, 12-8.
Just like before, though, the Catamounts answered with a long ball. With Greer aboard with a one-out walk, Murphy skied a two-run homer to right center to trim the deficit back to a pair, 10-8.
Entering the ninth inning down three, 13-10, Western was able to threaten by pushing across two runs. Mathews opened the frame with a double down the left field line before stealing third with one out. Following a walk by de Graaf, senior Barrett Shaft beat out an infield single, driving in Mathews from third to pull Western to within two runs, 13-11. With de Graaf on third, Liles delivered an RBI single through the left side with Reid Rollison, who was pinch running for Shaft, advancing to third. Yet, the Catamounts could not score the game tying run as a ground out ended the threat and the game.
Liles led four Catamounts with multiple hit games, going 3-for-5 at the plate with his 10th double of the season and two RBI. Murphy finished 2-for-4 with a double and a home run and three RBI. The Waynesville, N.C., native also drew his team-leading 17th walk of the season. Mathews finished 2-for-5 with a homer, while de Graaf was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of free passes.
Senior left-hander Drew Saberhagen suffered his third defeat of the season, allowing 12 earned runs on 11 hits with one walk and a strikeout in four and two-thirds innings worked. Junior reliever Mike Tavernier tossed one third of an inning before being struck in the head on a one-hop ground ball, with sophomore Chris Masters tossing the final three innings for WCU limiting the Eagles to one hit with three strikeouts.
The two teams conclude their season-opening, three-game set on Sunday afternoon with a first pitch at 1:30 pm. Fans can follow all of the action on the Catamount Sports Network with live coverage provided on WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5 or online at www.WWCUFM.com.
Update on WCU Right-Handed Pitcher, Mike Tavernier
Junior right-hander Mike Tavernier was hit in the head on a one-hop line drive ground ball in the sixth inning. WCU Athletic Trainer Lynette Mount and training staff from Georgia Southern were quickly on the field after the play. Emergency Medical personnel responded to Clement Stadium/Stallings field where Tavernier was transported to the East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro.
Tavernier was treated and released from the medical center with fractured bones in his face around his right eye. He experienced swelling and bruising around his right eye on Saturday evening and is scheduled to see a specialist once the team returns to Cullowhee following Sunday evening's series finale.
