May 10, 2008

Box Score

Charleston, S.C. - Western Carolina junior Mike Tavernier scattered six base hits while limiting The Citadel to three runs as the Catamount offense pounded out 18 base hits in an 11-3 victory in game one of its Southern Conference series Friday night under the lights at Riley Park. WCU used a five-run fifth inning to seize control of the game to improve to 25-24 overall, 11-11 in conference play, stretching its current winning streak to a season-high tying six games.

Tavernier's career-best effort marks just the fourth, nine-inning complete game thrown by a SoCon pitcher this season. The right-hander from Clearwater, Fla., tied his career-high with nine strikeouts against two walks in improving to 4-3 on the season.

Due to the threat of impending inclement weather in the Lowcountry on Sunday, officials at The Citadel have decided to move the final game of the three-game series to Saturday evening making it a double-header. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm with game three slated for 30 minutes after the first game of the twin bill.

Senior Barrett Shaft led five Catamounts with multiple-hit games posting his third-consecutive, four-hit outing at 4-for-6 with three singles and a double. Sophomore Nick Liles finished 3-for-6 with a double and two RBI, while classmate Tyler Kirkpatrick was 3-for-5 with three singles. Senior Blake Murphy and sophomore Stephen Notaro each finished with two hits in the win.

Trailing 2-1 after The Citadel erased Western's early one-run advantage, the Catamounts exploded for five runs in the top of the fifth inning to take control of the game. Four-consecutive singles including an RBI drive up the middle by Shaft and a run-producing single to left center by Murphy pushed WCU ahead, 3-2. With the senior duo aboard, junior transfer J.C. Lyons belted his 10th home run of the year to left center to cap the rally, handing the Catamounts a 6-2 advantage.

In the top of the seventh, Western stretched its lead with a three-spot including a two-RBI double down the left field line by Liles. Next batter, Notaro, singled through the left side to plate the third run, giving the Cats a 9-3 advantage.

The Catamounts concluded scoring with two runs in the top of the eighth as sophomore Dylan de Graaf grounded out to drive in Lyons with Kirkpatrick doubling and coming home from third on a balk by Citadel reliever Timmy Martin.

Bulldog starter Matt Crim (5-6) was saddled with the loss after being chased in the fifth inning, facing five batters without recording an out. He worked 4.0 innings and allowed six runs on 10 base hits. Third baseman Matt Arnold led The Citadel with a 2-for-3 outing with a home run and two RBI.

Saturday's double-header will conclude the three-game series. The games will be broadcast by the Catamount Sports Network and can be heard locally on WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5, or online at www.WWCUFM.com.