April 13, 2011

Box Score

Asheville, N.C. - Western Carolina pounded out a total of 13 base hits on a cold and rainy Tuesday night at McCormick Field, but was unable to string at bats together in falling to mountain-rival, UNC Asheville, 7-4, at the minor league ball park in mid-week nonconference action.

After leading 1-0, UNCA used a three-run bottom of the third inning to take a two-run edge, 3-1. The Catamounts responded with three runs of their own half an inning later to reclaim the advantage, 4-3, but the Bulldogs pushed two across in the fifth and two in the seventh to complete the two-game seasonal sweep over WCU - the first-ever for UNC Asheville over the Catamounts.

UNCA (13-20) was led by Ian Graham who drove in four runs on a 2-for-4 outing including a two-run single in the fourth inning and two-run double in the eighth inning. Sophomore Robert McIntosh, who pitched the first three innings for the Bulldogs, went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI.

Junior Ross Heffley led the Catamounts with three of WCU's 13 hits including a double and a RBI. However, WCU left 11 men on base, including seven in the first four innings.

Consecutive third inning doubles to left by Cameron Dullnig and Heffley put the Catamounts on the board first, 1-0. However, the Bulldogs rallied in the fourth inning with three runs.

WCU starter Taylor Sandefur (1-2) cruised through the first three innings, allowing just one hit to the home standing `Dogs. He quickly ran into trouble in the fourth, though, as McIntosh led off with an infield single. Grant Gajdosz doubled to left-center to put runners on second and third ahead of Danny Baatz who followed with an RBI-double to knot the score at 1-1.

After a strikeout to Patrick Kootnz for the first out of the inning, Graham laced a two-run single to left field, scoring two runs for a 3-1 Asheville lead.

Sandefur allowed seven earned runs over six and a third, striking out a season-high six in suffering the loss. Five relievers combined for the final inning and two thirds with Andrew Blackwell, Andrew Chilcoat and T.J. Page all recording a strikeout.

WCU (13-17-1) came right back in the top of the fifth inning as it scored three unearned runs to take a 4-3 lead. Matt Johns delivered a RBI double to plate Heffley, who had reached on an infield error. Pinch hitter Luke Gragg laced a RBI double to left field to plate a second run of the inning, with Aaron Attaway singling home Stephen Notaro.

All told, three different Catamounts had RBI's in the frame, but WCU had two runners thrown out at plate.

Attaway finished 2-for-3 while Johns and Notaro both posted 2-for-5 showings.

UNC Asheville came right back in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead for good. Catlin Carter opened the inning with a double. One out later, McIntosh's infield single tied the game at 4-4. McIntosh later scored the go-ahead run on a single to right by Koontz for a 5-4 Bulldog lead.

The Bulldogs picked up some insurance runs in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Graham's two-run double down the right-field line gave Asheville a 7-4 advantage.

In the ninth inning, Heffley led off with a single against Martinez. Ricker replaced Martinez and got the final three outs to give the Bulldogs their fifth straight win at McCormick Field dating back to last season.

Bulldog reliever Dean Roland (1-0) picked up the victory after pitching two innings out of the bullpen, surrendering three unearned runs. Carson McLean, Ethan Steible, Rene Martinez and David Ricker pitched the final four innings and did not allow a WCU run with Ricker recording the final three outs in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

Western Carolina returns home to host Georgia Southern for a three-game Southern Conference series this weekend at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. First pitch on Friday (April 15) is scheduled for 6 pm with all fans encouraged to wear purple to the game. The first 50 WCU students wearing purple will receive a FREE WCU Baseball T-shirt with the first 25 students also receiving a coupon for a FREE hotdog from B & Al's.

Saturday's first pitch is slated for 3:00 pm with a 2:00 pm start on Sunday afternoon.