May 7, 2010

Box Score |   

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina used six runs over the final three frames to rally past the Furman Paladins, 7-6, Friday afternoon in Southern Conference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts scratched out three runs in the seventh and a two-spot in the eighth to reclaim the lead en route to the win.

The three-game series will break until Sunday for graduation ceremonies on the respective campuses on Saturday. The set will resume on Sunday afternoon and conclude on Monday with first pitch both days at 3:00 pm in Cullowhee.

A trio of walks loaded the bases for the Catamounts in the home half of the seventh inning to start the rally. Ross Heffley, who again served as the designated hitter while nursing a sore hamstring, bounced into a would-be double-play at second. However, after turning the force at second unassisted, Will Muzika's throw to first was off-line which allowed two runs to score and Heffley to move to second. Trevor Collias then doubled to left-center on a 0-2 pitch to plate Heffley and close the margin to one, 6-5.

Collias finished 3-for-4 with two extra base hits in the double and homer and two RBI.

In the decisive eighth, catcher Ollie Goulder drew a lead-off walk ahead of pinch hitter Russell Robertson who laid down a picture-perfect sacrifice bunt to move Goulder into scoring position. Senior Dylan de Graaf then laced a RBI double down the left field line to knot the game at six.

After consecutive infield singles by Austin Schultz and Matt Johns again loaded the bases for a second-straight inning, Cameron Dullnig delivered the go-ahead RBI as he drove one through the right side of the infield to plate de Graaf to provide the final tally, 7-6.

Brandon Johnson (6-1) earned his sixth victory of the season to match the staff lead, tossing the final inning and a third in hitless, scoreless relief with one strikeout. Freshman starter Taylor Sandefur worked the first five and two thirds, scattering seven hits and five runs, only two of which were earned, to factor in the no-decision. Andrew Chilcoat, Jeremy Sluder and Vance Chavis combined to toss two innings out of the bullpen with Chilcoat fanning one.

Western Carolina (27-16-1, 10-11-1 SoCon) jumped on top in the home half of the first inning as Heffley singled through the right side to drive in Johns who doubled as a part of his 2-for-3 with two walks performance at the plate.

However, the lead was short-lived as Furman answered with two runs in both the second and fourth, adding a fifth run in the top of the fifth inning to lead, 5-1. Catcher Dylan Cole doubled home the first two runs to give the Paladins the lead in the top of the second. A fielder's choice on a potential double-play allowed the third run to cross home, with the fourth following close behind as the throw to first on the play was low and rolled far enough away to allow the run to score.

Furman's fifth run was manufactured after consecutive bunt singles to open the frame with a pair of fly ball outs, including a sacrifice fly by Brian Harrison, to stake the visitors to the three-run lead.

Collias blasted his 11th home run of the season to open the sixth, pulling the Catamounts back to within three, 5-2. However, WCU gave the run back a half inning later as Will Miller lifted a two-out RBI single to center to score Reese Wade from second after he had doubled, stretching the advantage back to four, 6-2, setting up the final three frames.

Furman reliever Jay Friedman (1-2) was saddled with the loss after surrendering the game-winning run in the one inning he worked. Starter Daniel Stallsmith tossed six strong innings, limiting WCU to two runs on just five hits with four walks against one strikeout before giving way to Bobby Lyne. The second reliever gave up four earned runs on one hit with four walks in one inning of work.

First baseman Aaron Thompkins led the Paladin offense with a 3-for-5 showing at the plate while Wade tallied a double as a part of a 2-for-4 with one walk showing, scoring a game-high three runs.

Coverage of both Sunday and Monday's games will be available online with live GameTracker, presented by Carolina West Sports Medicine and the WestCare Health System.