Final Stats

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - For the second-straight day the Western Carolina baseball team used an explosive inning to change the momentum of the game as the Catamounts downed The Citadel for the third time this weekend, 12-9. WCU trailed 4-0 going into the bottom of the third but the bats came alive and WCU plated eight runs to flip the lead in the Catamounts favor. The Citadel would come back to tie the game at eight but senior closer Tyler Powell came in and shut the door on the Bulldogs as he pitched the final 4.2 innings to earn the win.

Overall the Catamounts picked up 15 hits including six for extra bases on the day. Six Catamounts had two or more base hits while senior Bradley Strong led the way going 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Junior Danny Bermudez was only able to connect on one hit but it was a big one as he went 1-for-5 with a homerun and three RBI.

With the win, Western Carolina improves to 12-12 overall and 4-2 in Southern Conference action. The Citadel falls to 14-12 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

The game also marked the return of Preseason SoCon Player of the Year Jacob Hoyle who picked up base hits on the first two pitches he saw on Sunday. It was his first start since February 21.

Matt Smith, Austin Atwell, Reece Strong, Brett Pope and Hoyle all connected on a pair of hits. Smith added two RBI while Atwell, Hoyle and Pope each had one. Jason Smith had just one plate appearance but he drove in a pair as he knocked in a two-RBI double.

On the mound Korey Anderson took the start. He lasted 4.1 innings while striking out nine, walking two and allowing seven runs off of eight hits. Jonathan Waszak and Brendan Nail each saw action in the fifth inning but they did not record an out. Powell came in with the bases loaded, the score tied at eight and one out on the board and he was able to induce a 543 double play to end the inning. Powell would hold the Bulldogs off the scoreboard until a run scored in the ninth after WCU had gone up 12-8.

A wild pitch score in the bottom of the seventh proved to be the game winner as Kramer Ferrell took advantage of the Bulldog miscue.

The sweep is the first for the Catamounts over the Bulldogs since 2011. It also marks the first three-game win streak for WCU this season.

Over the series the Catamounts were led by B. Strong who went 6-for-12 at the plate with a double, a homerun and six RBI. Atwell also picked up six RBI as he went 5-for-11 with a pair of homeruns and a double. Both M. Smith and Bermudez had five RBI in the series while J. Smith and Pope turned in two.

On the mound B.J. Nobles, Tyler Powell and Colton Davis all picked up wins. Nobles pitched 6.0 innings with eight strikeouts and allowed just one run. Powell went a total of 5.2 innings, had five strikeouts and allowed a run while Davis went just 1.1 innings with three strikeouts and no runs scored.

The Catamounts will get right back to action this Tuesday, March 31 as they travel to Kennesaw State looking for a non-conference series sweep of the Owls. WCU defeated KSU 5-4 in Cullowhee earlier this season. The game will be carried on the Catamount Sports Network with Daniel Hooker bringing you the call.