Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 April 7, 2012
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
Spartanburg, S.C. - Western Carolina split a Saturday Southern Conference double-header with Wofford on Saturday, taking the first game, 4-2, before a ninth inning rally came up just short in the night cap, 6-5.
With the twinbill split, Wofford (13-19, 3-9 SoCon) took the three-game series two games to one. Western Carolina (22-11, 7-5 SoCon) lost its first conference series of the season. It was also the first time WCU had lost a three-game series to Wofford since the Terriers joined the SoCon.
Adam Martin and Julian Ridings both belted solo home runs in the first game on Saturday while Morgan McKinney struck out six in seven innings as the Catamounts won the first game on Saturday afternoon. Preston Hatcher secured his sixth save of the season, fanning three against two walks in two innings of one-hit, scoreless relief.
In the night cap, WCU was stymied for eight innings by Terrier pitching before plating four runs in the top of the ninth. However, the late rally fell one run short as the Catamounts dropped the game - and series - with the 6-5 loss.
Terrier starter Cash Collins frustrated WCU hitters through 7.2 innings, holding the potent Catamount lineup to just one run on four hits with nine strikeouts. WCU managed to touch up reliever Eric Eck for four runs on five hits in the ninth, but stranded two on when the third out was recorded.
Cody Jones went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored for WCU in the second game while Bradley Strong was 2-for-4, driving a run home in the ninth inning. Luke Gragg delivered a two-RBI pinch hit single while Dykota Spiess also singled in the pinch hitting role.
Martin and Strong delivered RBI doubles in the four-run ninth before Gragg drove in two to close the margin back to one run. However, a fly ball out to Terrier centerfielder James Foster ended the game.
WCU does not return to the diamond until next Friday, April 13 as it hosts the Furman Paladins at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium in Cullowhee for a three-game league series.
