April 10, 2011

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina dropped the final game of the three-game Southern Conference series with the Samford Bulldogs, 11-6, Sunday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. WCU closed to within a run, 7-6, in the home half of the sixth inning, but three-run top of the seventh for the Bulldogs allowed Samford to pull away for the win.

Four Catamount hitters posted multi-hit games as WCU posted a dozen hits in the game. Junior Ross Heffley and freshman Adam Martin both finished 3-for-5 while seniors Austin Schultz and Stephen Notaro collected two hits apiece including a pair of doubles for Schultz.

WCU starter Kyle Stewart (0-3) took the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits, exiting the game in the third inning. The Onalaska, Wisc., native finished with a pair of strikeouts and one walk. Relievers Preston Hatcher and Darron Dotson both worked two innings out of the bullpen, allowing three hits apiece.

Brandon Miller finished 3-for-6 with two doubles and a home run with Saxon Butler belting his third grand slam of the season for the Bulldogs, tallying six RBI in the win. Samford starter Joshua VanFleteren (3-2) worked five innings, scattering eight base hits and allowing three runs with a trio of strikeouts. Reliever Josh Martin gave up three unearned runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning with three additional Bulldog relievers combining to toss the final three and a third innings with just two hits allowed.

Both teams lit the scoreboard in the first inning with the Catamounts taking a 2-1 lead after manufacturing a run in the home half of the second inning. Notaro led off with a single and was driven home on the second double of the day by Schultz to put WCU ahead.

However, a two-run home run by Miller to left put Samford up for good in the top of the third inning. In the fourth, the Bulldogs loaded the bases on a single, an error and a walk in front of Butler who hit the first pitch of his at bat over the fence in right for a 7-2 lead.

The Catamounts chipped back with a single run in the home half of the fifth as Heffley was driven in on an RBI single by Martin, with three runs crossing in the sixth to close within a run, 7-6. WCU took advantage of a Bulldog throwing error to score twice with Schultz driving in a run on a groundout.

With Western Carolina back within a run, Samford scored three in the top of the seventh and one in the top of the ninth to provide the final tally.

Western Carolina faces UNC Asheville in mid-week nonconference action on Tuesday night at McCormick Field in Asheville, home of the Tourists. First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm.