Feb. 26, 2011

Box Score |   

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina overcame early miscues to even the best-of-three series with Manhattan College on Saturday afternoon, rallying past the Jaspers 7-3 at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium in Cullowhee.

A hit batter and two first inning errors by the Catamounts led to a pair of runs for the Jaspers and an early lead for the second-straight day. However, WCU pulled even in the third inning and pulled ahead with a solo run in the bottom of the sixth before adding three insurance runs in the eighth to score the victory.

The series rubber-match is set for Sunday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

Freshman RHP Jordan Smith (2-0) scattered six base hits through seven innings in his second career start to score the win for the Catamounts, who halted a two-game slide. Smith allowed three runs - only one of which was earned - and pitched around one walk with three strikeouts.

Relievers Morgan McKinney and Andrew Chilcoat combined to toss a hitless, scoreless eighth inning before Brandon Johnson closed out the ninth for WCU.

Trailing by two, 3-1, in the bottom of the third inning, Cameron Dullnig laced a one-out single through the right side before taking second on a balk call. Senior Matt Johns then doubled down the right field line, sneaking a hot-shot ground ball just inside the bag at first to plate Dullnig for the RBI. Johns later moved to third on a wild pitch before a sacrifice fly off the bat of Tyler White drove in the game-tying run.

In the sixth, senior catcher Stephen Notaro doubled off the "Purple Monster" in left to drive in Johns who opened the frame with a lead-off walk. The Catamounts continued to threaten in the inning by loading the bases but a strikeout ended the potential break-out inning, stranding three.

Clinging to the one-run lead in the eighth, Western Carolina (4-2) added three insurance runs in a frame that had an auspicious beginning. White was plunked by the first pitch of the inning. While attempting to sacrifice him over with a bunt, Notaro rolled one right back to the mound where the pitcher gunned White out at second. Freshman Aaron Attaway then flew out to deep right for the second out.

The inning continued as Dykota Spiess drew a two-out walk with a wild pitch advancing both he and Notaro to second and third, respectively. Pinch hitter Macon Smith then drew a walk to load the bases, chasing reliever Jared Hirschberg. Freshman Cody Jones then drew an RBI walk, plating Notaro and keeping the bases juiced for Austin Schultz who drilled the first pitch of his at bat to left, scoring two and providing the final margin.

Dullnig finished 2-for-5 with a double in the win, accounting for two of the Catamount runs. Johns was 1-for-3 with a walk, likewise scoring twice while Schultz finished 2-for-5 with two RBI.

For Manhattan, designated hitter Kyle Murphy finished 2-for-3 with a run scored with four other players recording one hit. Mark Onorati legged out an RBI double in the second inning. Starting pitcher Eric Luksis (0-1) was tagged with the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits in six innings of work. He struck out five while walking four on the afternoon.

First pitch of game three is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

Post-Game Notes:
- WCU was without the services of both Adam Martin (hand) and Ross Heffley (sick) on Saturday ... Austin Schultz returned to his position from a year ago at shortstop with Matt Johns playing at third and Aaron Attaway moving to second - which returned Tyler White back to first base;

- Western Carolina has won three-straight, three-game series including the season-opening series this year against Morehead State ...the Catamounts will need a win Sunday to keep that streak alive.