May 2, 2008

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - After grounding out to second and laying a picture-perfect sacrifice bunt down the third base line, everything fell into place in the fifth inning for Western Carolina senior Barrett Shaft. On the sixth pitch of his third plate appearance, the Lilburn, Ga., native reached out and poked one into shallow left field to become WCU's all-time career hits leader.

And even though the night belonged to the senior, it was a rookie who provided the go-ahead lift. Freshman Ryan Mathews legged out his first career triple in the eighth inning that drove in sophomore Brent Greer to lift the Catamounts to their third-straight victory, 5-3, Friday night over the Wofford Terriers at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.

The Catamounts have now won 14-straight over the defending SoCon tournament champion Terriers.

Shaft, who finished 1-for-3 on the night, received a standing ovation from the fans in attendance and hugs from his coaches and teammates, all of which emerged out of the dugout after he safely reached first. His lazy liner gave him 312 career hits to surpass former Catamount great - and 1999 conference player of the year - Chris Moore (1996-99).

Mathews led a trio of underclassmen with multiple-hit games, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI. He also reached once on a catcher's interference call. Sophomores Reid Rollison and Nick Liles finished 2-for-4 and 2-for-5, respectively.

Sophomore left-hander Chris Masters (5-4) threw 1.1 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief to earn the victory. Junior Mike Tavernier struck out a career-high nine, working around a walk and two hit batsmen. The Clearwater, Fla., native scattered six hits and three earned runs in the no-decision. Senior Tyler Sexton picked up his third save of the season, allowing one hit, one walk and fanning one in an inning of work in the ninth.

Western Carolina (22-24, 8-11 SoCon) used a pair of one-run innings in the second and third to stake itself to a 2-0 lead early. After loading the bases with two out in the home half of the second, sophomore Dylan de Graaf drew a walk to bring home junior J.C. Lyons who singled with one out.

In the third, senior Blake Murphy rapped out his team-leading 15th double of the season to drive in Greer for the two-run advantage.

However, the Terriers nipped back in the fourth with a three-spot to claim their lone lead of the game. Three consecutive base hits by Michael Gilmartin, Shane Kirkley with a double and Jake Williams drove in the first run leaving runners at the corners with no outs. Wofford loaded the bases as catcher Keith Munns was hit by a pitch. Designated hitter Emre Caglayan grounded out to push across the tying marker, with second baseman Alex Lee laying down an infield bunt single to drive in the go-ahead run.

The Catamounts answered in the bottom of the fourth with their third-consecutive, one-run frame as Rollison singled to left and was moved around to home by de Graaf on a fielder's choice to knot the game at three.

Rollison again ignited the rally in the eighth, again opening the frame with a single to left ahead of Mathews. The Orlando, Fla., native then drove a 1-0 pitch to deep right center running all the way for his first career triple to plate the game-winning run. Sophomore Nick Liles provided the insurance run by dropping a single to left center that allowed Mathews to trot home to provide the final tally, 5-3.

Wofford starter Scott Summers (5-7) suffered the defeat in his longest outing of the season after working 7.1 innings and allowing five runs, three of which were earned. He worked around three walks with four strikeouts. Two Terriers recorded multi-hit games as Gilmartin and first baseman Mo Seay each finished 2-for-4.

Game two of the three-game series has been moved to 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoon due to the threat of impending inclement weather.