March 3, 2009

San Diego, Calif. - No. 11 San Diego used a grand slam home run as a part of a six-run first inning to stake itself to an 11-run lead through five en route to a 14-7 win over Western Carolina in nonconference action Tuesday afternoon at Cunningham Stadium.

Western Carolina managed 13 base hits in the game, but only managed five through the first five innings as the Toreros raced to the double-digit lead in which they would never surrender.

The Catamounts plated a combined seven runs in the sixth and seventh innings to pull within four of the nationally-ranked Toreros. Junior Tyler Kirkpatrick drove in two with a triple to right center to put WCU on the board, and a Trevor Collias double scored a third run in the sixth. An inning later, junior Brent Greer doubled in two with senior J.C. Lyons walking to drive in a run and Kirkpatrick tallying his third RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly.

However, the Toreros (7-3) answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh and a single run in eighth to hold off Western's rally.

Freshman Ross Heffley led the Catamounts with a 3-fo-4 showing with two runs scored and a walk, while Lyons and junior Nick Liles each finished 2-for-4. Kirkpatrick drove in a team-best three while also tallying his first career triple.

Sophomore Matt Benedict suffered the loss after allowing seven runs, six of which were earned, in 2.1 innings of work with a walk and two strikeouts as Western used seven pitchers on the afternoon.

Western Carolina (5-2) opens a five-game home stand beginning this Friday, March 6 as it begins Southern Conference play against arch-rival Appalachian State. First pitch of the three-game series is set for 4:00 pm on Friday, with game time set for 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.