March 6, 2009

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. – Using a two-run bottom of the six inning to break open a four-run lead, Western Carolina (6-2, 1-0 SoCon) went on to defeat the Appalachian State Mountaineers (5-4, 0-3 SoCon) Friday afternoon, 4-0, in game one of the three game series against Appalachian State at Childress Field/ Hennon Stadium.

Senior Mike Tavernier earned the win (1-0) throwing 6 2/3 allowing just five hits and no earned runs while striking out five Mountaineer hitters en route to his first victory of the 2009 season. Matt Andress (0-2) took the loss for Appalachian State going 5 2/3 allowing six hits and four earned runs to go along with four walks.

Garrett Ozar and reigning Southern Conference Relief pitcher of the week Daniel Ottone combined for 2 1/3 to complete the shut-out for the Catamounts, their first of the 2009 season. Ottone retired the side in order striking out the final two Mountaineer batters swinging to end the game.

The Catamounts had three players who had multi-hit games including leadoff hitter junior Nick Liles who went 2-for-4 with a double on the night. Shortstop Brent Greer went 2-for-3 with two singles. Ross Heffley had his seventh multi-hit game of the season already going 2-for-4 with two singles. Heffley also extended his current eight-game hitting streak.

Western Carolina (6-2, 1-0 SoCon) opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning when with one out junior centerfielder Trevor Collias blast a solo Home Run, his first of the season, to left center to give the Catamounts a early 1-0 lead.

The Catamounts added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning when with two outs Collias drew a walk and stole second base while Liles was at the plate. Liles then hit a hard ball to the shortstop in the hole and Collias rounded third without a hesitation sliding in safely to give Western Carolina a 2-0 lead.

One inning later in the bottom of the sixth inning the Catamounts used a leadoff single from Heffley followed by a walk from J.C. Lyons to set up runners at first and second. Greer sacrificed them over to put runners at second and third with one out. After a fielders choice from Tyler Kirkpatrick, catcher Stephen Notaro laced a clutch two-out two-run double to right field plating Kirkpatrick and Lyons making the score 4-0 Western Carolina after six innings of play.

Appalachian State had an opportunity in the top of the seventh when with two runners on and with two outs in the inning Head Coach Bobby Moranda pulled Tavernier for Ozar. Ozar proceeded to strike out Rand Smith to end the inning stranding two Mountaineer runners. Appalachian State left nine runners on base to finish the game.

The second of the three-game series is set for 2:00 pm on Saturday afternoon. The Catamounts are scheduled to start junior left-hander Chris Masters.