May 22, 2008

Box Score

Charleston, S.C. - Despite scratching the scoreboard first in the opening frame, seventh-seeded Western Carolina could not overcome a pair of four-run innings by No. 6 Appalachian State as the Mountaineers eliminated the Catamounts from the 2008 Southern Conference tournament, 10-5, Thursday afternoon at Riley Park.

The loss snapped WCU's nine-game winning streak (9-2) over its arch-rival in the conference tournament. WCU had not dropped a game in the tourney to the Apps since 1984 in the first-ever post-season meeting between the two.

Sophomore Nick Liles singled through the left side to open the game, swiping second to put himself in scoring position. Senior Barrett Shaft, who finished the season with a team-leading, 14-game hitting streak, then drove in Liles with a single through the right side to put the Catamounts on top, 1-0.

However, the lead was short-lived as the Mountaineers plated four runs on two base hits, also capitalizing on a pair of walks to score four runs in the home half of the first to lead 4-1. Shortstop Jason Altenhof doubled off the glove of Shaft with the ball taking a fortuitous ASU ricochet into right field allowing him to scamper to second. After the first of two walks, right fielder David Rubinstein singled to left to load the bases with Isaac Harrow singling in the tying run. Designated hitter Jason Rook singled to left to drive in two more runs, with a sacrifice fly to center, which resulted in a double-play, plating the fourth run for a 4-1 ASU lead.

Two innings later, three of the first four Appalachian State batters singled to score one run before first baseman David Towarnicky lifted a three-run homer to right field for the four-run third and a 8-1 Mountaineer edge.

Western (29-28) scored one in the sixth as Notaro singled to center before an RBI double to right center by Shaft trimmed the lead to six, 8-2. But, the Mountaineers plated two runs in the seventh to stretch their lead to a game-high eight, 10-2.

In the eighth, WCU scored three runs to provide the final tally, 10-5. Junior Mitchell Hatley was hit by a pitch ahead of Liles who doubled to left center to put two on ahead of Notaro who laced his first career triple to right center to score two. Shaft grounded out to plate the game's final run - his third RBI of the afternoon - to pull WCU within five which was as close as the Catamounts would get.

Junior Corey Martin (2-2) faced six batters in the first inning but was unable to record an out in his shortest career outing. He allowed four earned runs on four hits with a pair of walks before being lifted by sophomore Chris Masters. The Marietta, Ga., native worked a season-high 6.0 innings allowing five earned runs on five hits with three walks and a career-high tying nine strikeouts. Sophomore Daniel Ottone faced one batter, with senior Tyler Sexton facing eight batters in two innings of scoreless, three-hit relief with one strikeout.

Notaro finished with a 3-for-4 outing, legging out his first career triple, as the top three hitters in WCU's lineup each finished with multiple-hit games. Liles was 2-for-4 with a walk and a game-high three runs scored, while Shaft was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Freshmen Ryan Mathews and Matt Johns each posted hits, as did sophomore Reid Rollison after coming on as a replacement in the field during the middle innings.

ASU starter, transfer Josh Dowdy (6-6) earned the win after allowing four earned runs while scattering seven hits and working around a walk with six strikeouts. Rubinstein finished with three base hits in a 3-for-5 outing, with Harrow and Altenhof each tallying a pair of hits for the Apps.

Western's season comes to a close under first-year head coach, Bobby Moranda. The Catamounts recorded their fourth-straight winning season at 29-28 overall. The 29 victories were the third-most among Catamount skippers in their inaugural year at the helm. Only Keith LeClair (44-21-1 in 1992) and Rodney Hennon (45-15 in 1998) had more victories during their first seasons in Cullowhee.

Four seniors concluded their careers at the SoCon tourney. Fifth-year senior and first team All-SoCon catcher Blake Murphy, the Catamounts' all-time leader in career hits (336) Barrett Shaft, two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection Tyler Sexton and utility fielder, the speedy Jason Haynes, all finished their collegiate careers for the purple and gold.