May 21, 2010

Box Score |   

Cullowhee, N.C. - Junior Matt Johns led the Catamounts with four hits and drove in the game winning runs as Western Carolina came from behind to defeat Davidson, 7-5, at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium on Friday evening.

The Catamounts trailed, 5-4, going to the home-half of the eighth, where Western Carolina used a Johns' double to right center to tally three runs and take the series victory. WCU (33-19-1, 15-13-1 SoCon) out-numbered Davidson (19-31, 5-24 SoCon), 10-to-12, in the hit column in the midst of extending their win streak to 12 games over the Wildcats.

Redshirt Sophomore Vance Chavis (3-4) notched the victory after shutting down the Wildcats in two-thirds of an inning pitched. Brandon Johnson claimed his second save of the season by finishing the final two outs in the contest with a ground-out double.

Johns led the WCU offense with a 4-for-5 evening, two RBIs and two runs scored. The Stafford, Va., native also notched his team-leading 18th and 19th doubles of the season.

Ollie Goulder added the first Catamount run in the second inning from a Cameron Dullnig RBI single. WCU took a 3-1 lead after three innings when Johns scored from a Trevor Collias sacrifice fly. WCU added the third run with a Bryant Noteboom single to center field, allowing Tyler Kirkpatrick to score. Kirkpatrick concluded the game with a pair of hits, a pair of walks and a run scored.

Davidson took the lead with a three-spot in the fourth as Cameron Barron began the rally with a two RBI triple to right center. Michael Zeblo added the second triple later in the inning, driving home Barron to give the Wildcats a 4-3 advantage. Andrew Barna's solo shot to left field in the fifth extended Davidson's lead to 5-3.

Goulder's single to center field in the home-half of the fifth allowed Ross Heffley to score cutting the Catamounts deficit to 5-4. Goulder hit 2-for-4 in the contest with a run scored and a run-batted-in.

Freshman Taylor Sandefur tossed seven innings in the no-decision, giving up five earned runs with six strikeouts and two walks. Jeremy Sluder came on in relief for two-thirds of an inning, giving up one hit and fanning two Wildcat batters.

Dullnig was hit by his 23rd pitch of the season in the eighth inning, which broke the previous school record of 22 set by Jonathan Greene in 2007.

Western Carolina took the, 7-5, lead in the eighth with a three-run Johns' double to deep right center that drove in Austin Schultz and Dullnig. Johns eventually scored on the play after a Davidson fielding miscue.

Brian Russell (3-4) was charged with the loss for the Wildcats after giving up three runs, two earned, on one hit in two-thirds of an inning tossed. Starter Chris Lamb tossed seven innings, giving up four runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts. Designated hitter J.P. Crave finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored and a walk to lead the Davidson offense.

Western Carolina will conclude the 2010 regular season at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium at 3 pm tomorrow afternoon. Fans are encouraged to arrive to the stadium around 2:30 pm to take part in the `Senior Day' festivities that will honor the six Catamount seniors. Live coverage of Saturday's contest will be available online through GameTracker at CatamountSports.com.