March 29, 2008

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Despite out hitting UNC Greensboro, 11-to-10, the Catamounts were unable to find the timely knocks, stranding a dozen base runners in a 7-3 loss to the Spartans Saturday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. The three-game conference series stands tied at one, with the rubber match slated for 2:00 pm on Sunday afternoon.

The loss snapped Western's three-game winning streak, while also ending the Catamounts' run of consecutive games scoring in double-digits at six.

Sophomore Nick Liles led the Catamounts with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate, all singles, but was active on the base paths with a game-high four stolen bases. He also drew a walk to reach four times on the afternoon. Classmate Dylan de Graaf finished 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, while senior Blake Murphy was 2-for-4 with a stolen base. He was later ejected in the bottom of the eighth and will miss Sunday's finale, as per SoCon regulations.

Western (9-15, 1-4 SoCon) climbed on top first with a run in the home half of the third inning as senior Jason Haynes doubled to left center to open the frame. A failed pick-off attempt that sailed into center field allowed the Fort Mill, S.C., native to scamper to third, scoring two batters later on a sacrifice fly to center by sophomore Brent Greer.

The Spartans rallied, however, with a four spot in the top of the fourth, capitalizing on five base hits. Back-to-back singles by Sean Snell and Pedro Leon put two aboard, with a one-out ground out advancing the two to second and third, respectively. On an 0-1 pitch, third baseman Ray Quinones delivered a two-RBI single up the middle to put UNCG on top, 2-1. Two batters later, Tim Carrier belted a two-run homer run to left for the 4-1 edge.

UNCG (18-6, 4-1 SoCon) stretched its lead to five with a two-run homer Leon, his first of the year, in the top of the fifth.

Western Carolina plated a run in the bottom of the fifth as Liles singled up the middle and proceeded to swipe both second and third. Four batters - and three walks - later, Liles was driven in by senior Barrett Shaft on the third free pass of the frame. Yet, the Catamounts could only get the one run home, stranding the bases loaded.

In the home half of the eighth, WCU scratched the board again for a solo run as de Graaf singled and was moved to third two batters later by a fourth single by Liles. The next batter, Greer, tallied his only hit of the game on an RBI single to plate the run, but a groundout on a close play at first ended the inning and the threat.

UNCG tallied a single run in top of the ninth to provide the final tally, 7-3.

All told, Western stranded the bases loaded in the fifth, while also missing a golden opportunity in the bottom of the second inning with what could have been bases loaded, one out. However, two base running mistakes cost the Catamounts an opportunity to go ahead early.

Senior Tyler Sexton tossed four innings for WCU, suffering his fourth defeat of the season. He allowed five earned runs on eight base hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts. Junior Garrett Ozar threw 4.2 innings of one-hit, two run relief, pitching around three walks with six strikeouts.

UNC Greensboro was led by Leon with a 3-for-4 day with three RBI including a two-run homer with Carrier as the only other Spartan to post a multiple hit day going 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBI. Starting pitcher Matt Gibbs (3-0) went 4.2 innings to earn the win, scattering seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts while limiting the potent Catamounts to two earned runs.

Game three of the three-game set is set for 2:00 pm on Sunday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.