March 11, 2009

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Trevor Collias capped off a 3-for-5 performance at the plate with a lead-off triple in the bottom of the ninth inning and later scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by J.C. Lyons as Western Carolina scored five runs in the final three innings to rally past East Tennessee State, 6-5, Wednesday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

Collias rapped a three-bagger to the gap in left center on a full-count pitch to get WCU started in the ninth. Hot-hitting freshman Ross Heffley and junior Brent Greer were both intentionally walked by the Bucs to load the bases with no outs ahead of Lyons. ETSU also made a substitution that brought on five infielders with just two outfielders.

Lyons then lifted a 1-0 pitch to center field which was caught but was deep enough with the outfield playing in to allow Collias to trot home without a throw for the game-winner.

Western (10-2) remains perfect at home with its eighth-straight home victory, while East Tennessee fell to 5-6 on the season.

Junior Nick Liles extended his current hitting streak to 14 games dating back to last season by also finishing 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a run both scored and driven in. The Laurinburg, N.C., native leads the team with eight doubles this season. Greer finished 2-for-3 with his first triple of the year and one RBI on a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Heffley saw his 11-game hitting streak - which spanned his entire collegiate career - come to an end with a 0-for-4 showing at the plate with the one free pass.

Drama began in the top of the ninth after the Catamounts had rallied to knot the game at five. Freshman reliever Andrew Blackwell, who finished with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings of relief work, was chased after allowing a single up the middle to open the visitor's half of the final frame. The Bucs managed to load the bases with one hit and a walk off junior closer Daniel Ottone (1-0). However, the Cary, N.C., native was able to slam the door shut with a strikeout of Derek Trent with the bases loaded to keep the game tied and eventually earn Ottone the victory after the eventful bottom of the frame.

Freshman Garrett Baker did not earn a decision in his first career start, working 5.1 innings while allowing four runs - three earned - on five base hits. He also pitched around four walks with four strikeouts.

Western trailed 4-1 entering the seventh inning before back-to-back, one-out base hits by Liles and pinch-hitter Stephen Notaro. Collias then came through with a two-RBI single down the right field line to trim the deficit to one, 4-3. Greer later pushed Collias across with his sacrifice fly to tie the game at four.

Each team added a run in the eighth to set up the ninth, tied at five apiece.

ETSU's Bo Reeder (1-2) was the tough luck loser after relieving starter Ben Andrews from his fielding position at third in the seventh. He went 2.0 innings and allowed three runs on four hits with three walks in the loss. Andrews kept the Catamounts at bay most of the afternoon, surrendering three earned runs on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts in the no decision.

Offensively for the Bucs, Jacob Fabry finished 3-for-5 with three RBI, two of which came on a single through the left side in the sixth inning. Garrett May also finished with a multi-hit game for ETSU with a 2-for-3 outing.

Western Carolina returns to Southern Conference action this weekend with a three-game set against the College of Charleston at Patriot's Point. Friday's first pitch is set for 6:00 pm, with Saturday and Sunday to start at 1:00 pm.