May 16, 2008

WCU vs CofC - Game One Box Score
WCU vs CofC - Game Two Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - College of Charleston, the nation's top offensive team, flexed its muscle Friday as the Cougars swept a double-header from Western Carolina, 10-4 and 20-9, to keep its hopes of a second-consecutive share of the Southern Conference title and top seed for the conference tournament alive. The Cougar pounded out 33 hits in the two games, including nine home runs.

Western Carolina (27-26, 13-13 SoCon), which saw its season-long, eight-game winning streak snapped by dropping game one of the twin bill, has dropped 17 of its last 20 meetings with the College of Charleston. Also, the 20 runs surrendered in the second game were the most allowed by a Catamount squad since giving up 22 in a home, 22-5, loss to UNC Greensboro back in 2001.

Sophomore catcher Stephen Notaro belted two home runs to straight-away center field, including a three-run blast in the sixth inning to keep Western close in game one. However, the Cougars, which belted four round-trippers, never trailed in the 10-4 victory.

Junior Mike Tavernier (4-4) was saddled with the loss in game one after surrendering six earned runs on nine hits, issuing a pair of walks with six strikeouts. Classmate Garrett Ozar tossed the final three innings allowing four earned runs on five hits while working around one walk with three strikeouts.

In the night cap, the Catamounts answered Charleston's two-run top of the first with a three-run home half of the frame. Yet, the Cougars erupted with a trio of five-run innings and a two-run frame en route to the 20-9 victory.

Junior Drew Saberhagen was tagged with the loss in the second game as WCU sent six different hurlers to the hill. The Calabasas, Calif., native gave up six earned runs on seven hits through two innings, with sophomore reliever Chris Masters matching his two innings of work while allowing three earned runs on four hits. Sophomore Reid Rollison made his second appearance of the season on the mound, lasting two innings with three strikeouts, while senior Barrett Shaft made his first-ever pitching appearance, giving up one earned run on two hits.

Freshman Matt Benedict made his first appearance since early April, closing out the game with one, scoreless and one-hit inning of relief.

For the two games, sophomore Nick Liles led Western at the plate going 4-for-9 (.444) - all coming in game two - with a walk and a double, scoring three times. Notaro and sophomore Tyler Kirkpatrick each finished 3-for-8 (.375) on the day with Notaro tallying the two home runs and Kirkpatrick legging out a double.

Also, two Catamounts - sophomore Jackie Corn and freshman pitcher Matt Benedict - each posted their first base hit of the season in game two with Corn tallying his second career base knock and Benedict reaching in his first collegiate plate appearance.

For the College of Charleston (36-18, 18-8 SoCon), two players posted 7-for-11 (.636) outings as Jeremie Tice and Clay McCord each rapped out seven hits apiece, Tice posting a 1.818 slugging percentage with a double, four home runs and nine RBI. McCord also posted a multiple homer day with two long balls in the two games.

Western will wrap-up its regular season on Saturday afternoon in game three of the series with CofC with a first-pitch scheduled for 2:00 pm. Prior to the game, WCU will honor its four seniors, Jason Haynes, Blake Murphy, Tyler Sexton and Barrett Shaft.