April 28, 2009

Box Score

Charlotte, N.C. - Nick Liles blasted a two-run home run as a part of a four-run top of the third inning as Western Carolina built a five-run lead before holding on for a two-run, 8-6, road win over the Charlotte 49ers at Hayes Stadium / Phillips Field Tuesday night in non-conference action.

Garrett Ozar (3-4) tossed two innings of two-hit, scoreless relief in earning the victory, striking out three out of the bullpen. Closer Daniel Ottone earned his seventh save of the season after working a perfect ninth. Freshman Kyle Stewart tossed the first four and two thirds in a quality start, tying his career-high for the third time this season with seven strikeouts in the no-decision.

WCU (26-17) claimed a lead it would never relinquish in the top of the third inning, pushing across four runs for the early lead. J.C. Lyons opened the frame with a doubled down the left field line on the first pitch he saw. After a wild pitch moved him into scoring position, Mitchell Hatley grounded to short, reaching on an error but tallying the RBI for the 1-0 edge.

Trevor Collias and Hatley perfectly executed a hit-and-run to put runners at the corners with no outs ahead of Nick Liles. Collias was picked off at first for the first out ahead Nick Liles who laced a two-run home run over the fence in left for the 3-0 edge, chasing 'Niner starting pitcher, Andrew Smith. A second hit-and-run play with Greer running from second to third as Rembert Rollison grounded sharply through the left side to the hole vacated by the third baseman drove in the fourth run, 4-0. Rollison finished 2-for-4 in the win.

Charlotte trimmed the deficit to two with a pair of two-out runs in the home half of the fifth inning.

The two teams combined for six runs in the sixth inning with WCU plating three in the top half and Charlotte answering in the bottom. Matt Johns reached on a throwing error on a bunt attempt, with Lyons singling through the right side to put two aboard with Johns moving to third. The Catamounts loaded the bases as Mitchell Hatley was hit by a pitch before Collias lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate the first run. Liles drove in a second run with an RBI single through the left side, with Ross Heffley plating the final run on a single to third for the five-run, 7-2 edge.

However, a lead-off triple started a three-run 49er sixth inning that again cut the Catamount lead to two, 7-5.

Collias drove in his second run of the game in the seventh on a ground out, with Charlotte matching Western in the bottom of the seventh to provide the final tally.

Five Catamounts posted multi-hit games led by Greer with a 3-for-4 showing with three singles, a walk and run scored. Liles drove in three on a 2-for-6 showing with his seventh home run of the season, while Notaro was 2-for-3 and Lyons was 2-for-4, both with a double.

For Charlotte, Smith (2-7) allowed three runs on four hits in two and a third inning pitch to suffer the loss.

Western Carolina hosts Tennessee Tech on Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm in non-conference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.