May 15, 2012

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina homered twice as Jacob Hoyle delivered a solo shot and Dale Urquhart Jr. hit a two-run round-tripper, but it wasn't enough as Winthrop pounded out a season-high 20 hits to hand the Catamounts an 11-5 home setback Tuesday evening at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

Winthrop (16-33) tallied the most hits under second-year head coach Tom Riginos, taking advantage of 17 singles and three RBI-producing doubles. The Eagles won for the first-time ever in Cullowhee after having entered the game 0-6 all-time. The loss for WCU evened the seasonal series after the Catamounts won 13-3 in Rock Hill, S.C., back on Feb. 21.

Junior left-hander Adam Curtis (5-2) suffered the loss for WCU, surrendering five runs - only four of which were earned - on nine hits while striking out a pair. Curtis was one of five Catamount hurlers used in the game with senior Darron Dotson striking out a pair, junior leftie Hunter Brister fanning one, and redshirt senior Vance Chavis striking out two in an inning and a third.

The Eagles jumped out 3-0 through two and a half innings before the Catamounts answered with two runs in the bottom of the third to make it 3-2. It was as close as WCU would get. Winthrop scored four-straight runs between the fourth and sixth innings to pull ahead 7-2 before Hoyle's solo homer in the home half of the sixth inning made it 7-3.

Winthrop put the game further out of reach with a four-spot in the top of the eighth before Urquhart Jr. drove a pitch over the fence in left field for a two-run home run to provide final tally.

Sophomore Luke Gragg was the only player to record a multi-hit game for the Catamounts, finishing 2-for-4 after earning the start as the designated hitter. Senior Ross Heffley finished 1-for-5 with an RBI ground out.

Winthrop starter Tyler Klitsch (4-6) scored the win, allowing just two runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. A regular weekend starter, Klitsch was on a predetermined pitch count, tallying the win after working just two and two thirds innings.

Offensively for the Eagles, six hitters recorded multi-hit games including a 4-for-5 showing by T.J. Olesczuk. Matt Lobacz drove in three runs on a 3-for-5 outing while Jason Driver doubled twice in finishing 3-for-5.

Western Carolina (30-21) returns home for the final home series of the regular season as it hosts league-leading Appalachian State for three games at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium Thursday through Sunday. Game times on Thursday and Friday are 5:00 pm, with Saturday's Senior Day scheduled for a 1:00 pm first pitch.