Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina rallied from an early four-run deficit thanks in large part to an eight-run sixth inning, taking its Southern Conference series over the visiting Wofford College Terriers with a 13-5 victory on Sunday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

WCU's back-to-back weekend victories over the Terriers after Friday's 11-8 loss gave the Catamounts the three-game SoCon series victory over Wofford - its third-straight in the head-to-head series all-time and its seventh in the past eight years.

Eight Catamounts combined to record the team's 12 hits on the day with senior Bradley Strong showing the way with a record-setting performance. The senior from Richlands, Va., finished 4-for-5 with three extra base hits including a double and two triples to become WCU's all-time triple's leader, breaking the tie with Martin Barrow (1995-98). Strong just missed hitting a home run on his second triple of the day which would have given him his second career cycle.

Strong moved from eighth into a tie for fourth with former Terrier Konstantine Diamaduros (17, 2009-12) on the SoCon's career triples chart. He is just three shy of all-time record holder, Lee Curtis from the College of Charleston who had 20 from 2002-03.

Junior Danny Bermudez drove in two runs on a 2-for-5 afternoon that included a double. Freshman Brett Pope and junior Reece Strong also finished with two RBI in the Catamount victory.

Wofford (24-11, 3-3 SoCon) grabbed an early lead with solo runs in the first two innings before a two-spot in the third made it 4-0. Despite the four runs, the Terriers missed several key opportunities as the visitors stranded the bases loaded in the first inning with three left on over the next two frames.

The Catamounts got on the board in the home half of the third inning as freshman Matthew Koehler secured a two-out walk before stealing second. Pope then singled to allow Koehler to race home to trim the deficit to three, 4-1.

An inning later, WCU again lit the scoreboard for a run as Strong doubled down the left field line before Bermudez flew out to right for a productive out, moving Strong to third. His younger brother, Reece, then grounded out at first to allow Bradley to score making it 4-2.

Western Carolina's big inning came in the sixth as eight runs scored on five base hits. Bradley Strong led off with a triple that initially broke the school benchmark before Matt Smith singled into left field to score a run and jumpstart the rally. Reece Strong singled on a hit-and-run to move Smith to third and put runners at the corners. The Catamounts brought home the game-tying run as Reece Strong was caught in a run-down between first and second that allowed Smith to score with Strong avoiding the tag and advancing to second on the play.

After a second strikeout in the inning gave Wofford two outs, free passes allowed the Catamounts to take - and ultimately build upon - the lead. Austin Atwell drew a walk to put two aboard with a wild pitch advancing both runners - Atwell and Strong - to second and third, respectively. Koehler drew his second walk to load the bases with Pope then driving in the go-ahead on a walk. Kramer Ferrell also plated a run with a bases loaded base on balls before Bradley Strong delivered a two-RBI single to continue the onslaught.

The inning continued with a RBI single by Bermudez and Reece Strong plating a run on a HBP before the frame came to a close with the bases still loaded.

The Catamounts would tack on three runs in the seventh, two on Bradley Strong's second triple of the day and the third on a double to left centerfield by Bermudez.

Wofford would add a late run in the eighth, loading the bases on a double and two walks before a third free pass issued to Conor Clancey allowed the Terriers' fifth run to score, providing the final tally.

Despite the early struggles, Catamount starter sophomore Korey Anderson (3-2) battled through seven innings to earn the victory. The Grayson, Ga., native scattered 10 hits and limited Wofford to four runs - three of which were earned - with five strikeouts to counter three walks. Anderson was able to put four zeroes on the scoreboard after Wofford lit the board for four through the first three frames.

Junior Jonathan Waszak gave up a run on a hit and three walks in a third of an inning out of the bullpen with classmate Taylor Durand inducing an inning-ending double-play to record his two-thirds of a frame tossed. Freshman Corey Sikes tossed the ninth with one hit in an inning of scoreless relief.

Wofford starter Adam Scott (4-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in 5.2 innings on the mound. Scott walked three while striking out four with one HBP. All told, the Terriers used six different pitchers, walking a combined seven with four hit batsmen.

The Terriers matched Western Carolina's 12 hits on Sunday with five players collecting two hits apiece in the series finale. Max McDougald doubled with a walk in a 2-for-2 performance while Alec Paradowski doubled in a 1-for-4 outing with two runs scored. Matt Ramsay was 2-for-3 in the loss.

Western Carolina is scheduled to conclude its stretch of playing 8-of-9 at home on Tuesday night by hosting the Tennessee Volunteers at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6:00 pm. Fans can follow the game with live GameTracker through CatamountSports.com, with streaming video on the SoCon Digital Network.