March 17, 2010

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina used a sacrifice fly RBI by catcher Ollie Goulder in the bottom of the eight to defeat the Charlotte 49ers, 5-4, at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium on Wednesday evening. The victory gave the Catamounts the series sweep over the Niners, as WCU improved to 12-5, while Charlotte fell to 8-5 on the year.

The 49ers jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the third, before WCU answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. The Catamounts tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth before Charlotte used a three-run seventh inning to tie the contest. Goulder's sac fly to left field allowed Dylan de Graaf to score the game-winning run.

Goulder hit 1-for-2 with a run scored, a RBI and was hit by a pitch. Freshman Tyler White smacked a two-run round-tripper to left field in the bottom of the third to help the Catamounts regain a 2-1 advantage. The home run was White's third of the season and his second of the year against the 49ers.

de Graaf stole two bags from Charlotte en route to scoring his game-clinching run. The center fielder reached on base in the eighth after being plunked with a pitch.

Reliever Brandon Johnson (2-0) took home the win after tossing an inning and two-thirds, giving up just one hit with three strikeouts. Catamount pitchers combined for a team total of 13 strikeouts in the contest.

Right-hander Kyle Stewart started the game and tossed three complete innings giving up just one run on a hit with six strikeouts and two walks. Andrew Blackwell threw the next trifecta of innings, giving up a run on two hits and hurling three strikeouts. Andrew Chilcoat surrendered two runs on a hit in a third of an inning pitched before relieved by Johnson in the seventh.

Closer Daniel Ottone earned his seventh save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.

Austin Schultz played a pivotal role for WCU by reaching on base in all four appearances at the plate. The junior walked three times, collected a hit and stole four bases. Tyler Kirkpatrick walked on two occasions and scored a run in the fifth inning.

Matt Johns tallied his fourth double of the year in the fifth to score Kirkpatrick and Schultz. Johns hit 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk.

The 49ers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Justin Roland scored from a groundout RBI. WCU answered with a two-run bomb by White in the bottom-half of the third. The Catamounts then added a two-run double by Johns in the fifth to extend their lead to 4-1.

Charlotte stormed back with a three-run seventh inning as a Niner scored on a passed ball. Justin Wilson doubled to left field, tying the game. de Graaf's aggressive base-running skills in the eighth resulted in his eighth and ninth steals of the year for the Cats, en route to scoring the game-winning run.

Wilson led the 49ers with a 1-for-4 evening and two RBI. Right hander Chad Rothlin (0-1) took the loss for Charlotte, surrendering an earned run in an inning and a third.

Western Carolina returns to Southern Conference action on Friday at rival Appalachian State. First pitch of the contest is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. in Boone, N.C. Live radio coverage for this weekend's series will be available online through the Catamount Sports Network at CatamountSports.com.