May 1, 2011

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Trailing by two entering what would be the final inning, Western Carolina put the tying run at second base with nobody out, but San Diego State slammed the door, completing the three-game nonconference series sweep with an 11-9, seven-inning victory Sunday afternoon at Childress Field Hennon Stadium.

Due to travel time constraints for the Aztecs, the game was ended at the end of the seventh inning.

In the decisive bottom of the seventh, back-to-back singles by seniors Matt Johns and Stephen Notaro put runners at first and second with Phillip Treadway called upon to pinch run for Notaro. A balk called on SDSU reliever Mitch Bluman advanced both Catamounts to second and third. However, Luke Gragg, who delivered a pinch hit single in the sixth, popped up to third for the first out with Tyler White striking out swinging despite a seven-pitch at bat.

Bluman then got freshman Aaron Attaway to ground out to third on a 1-0 pitch to end the game to pick up his first save of the season.

Reliever Steven Moranda (2-2) scored the victory for SDSU after coming on in the second inning after starter Bryan Crabb issued back-to-back walks to open the bottom of the frame. Moranda walked and struck out three in five innings out of the bullpen, scattering four earned runs on six hits.

For the Catamounts, Taylor Sandefur (1-3) was tagged with the loss after starter Preston Hatcher was chased after two thirds of the first inning. Sandefur worked around four walks with five strikeouts in three and two thirds innings, giving up six runs - only one of which was earned - on six hits. Brandon Johnson was one of four to toss out of the bullpen, throwing the final two and a third with a strikeout.

San Diego State (15-29) jumped ahead in the top of the first inning, plating three runs on two hits before leaving the bases loaded for the first of two occasions on the day. Cody Smith drew a lead-off walk and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Right fielder Brandon Meredith then drove Smith home, doubling to right center on the first pitch of his at bat. With two aboard, Dillon Bryant delivered a two RBI single up the middle for the 3-0 lead, eventually chasing Hatcher.

The Catamounts answered, though, matching the three Aztec runs in the bottom of the first. Freshman Macon Smith beat out an infield bunt single with Ross Heffley singling through the right side. With two aboard, Johns lifted a two RBI double to right center to trim the deficit to one, 3-2. The next batter, Notaro, singled through the right side with Johns racing home from second to knot the game at three apiece.

Five runs for the visitors in the top of the second inning then staked the Aztecs to a lead they would never relinquish. Consecutive singles to open the inning put runners at the corners when an infield error on an attempted double-play allowed one run to score. Then, with the bases loaded following a walk, the Catamounts recorded consecutive outs on a fly ball to right and a strike out that would have ended the inning. But a bases loaded walk drove in the second run with catcher Ben Vasko driving in three on a double to left center to stretch the margin to five, 8-3.

Western Carolina chipped away with two runs in the bottom of the second as a pair of walks and an infield bunt single by Cameron Dullnig loaded the bases. Smith then drew a four-pitch walk to drive in a run with Heffley lifting a sacrifice fly to right to plate a second marker in the frame, trimming the margin to three, 8-5.

The Aztecs added single runs in the top of the fifth and sixth innings to lead 10-5 before a four-spot in the bottom of the sixth shrunk the gap. Gragg opened the rally with a single up the middle before Attaway moved him to third with a one-out single through the left side. Gragg later scampered home on a wild pitch that ricocheted off the brick back stop towards the plate making it a close play. Dullnig then drew a free pass to put two aboard for Smith who belted his first career home run - a two-out, three-run shot over the right field fence to pull WCU to within one, 10-9.

San Diego State added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Chris Wilson to set up the bottom of the inning with the Catamounts threatening but unable to score.

Johns led Western Carolina with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate with a double while Macon Smith was 2-for-3 with four RBI. Heffley likewise was 2-for-3 with an RBI while Notaro finished 2-for-4 in the loss, the fourth-straight for the Catamounts.

For the Aztecs, Cody Smith led three with multi-hit games on a 3-for-4 outing including a double, while Vasko was 2-for-2 with a walk and three RBI, and Pat Colwell finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.

San Diego State stranded 10 base runners on the day while WCU left five on base including the two in the seventh inning.

Western Carolina enters a week-long break for final exams before returning to Southern Conference action next weekend in Boone, N.C., against arch-rival Appalachian State. The series will get underway at Smith Stadium on Saturday, May 7 at 6 pm and will continue with 1:00 pm first pitches on Sunday, May 8 and Monday, May 9.

All three games of the series are scheduled to be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network with air time 15 minutes prior to first pitch. Fans can follow the broadcasts online at www.CatamountSports.com.