Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina used a two-run home run by Bradley Strong and a run-scoring single by Matthew Koehler to tie Thursday's series-opener with VMI at three in the home half of the fourth inning. However, the visiting Keydets responded with a four-run fifth and a decisive nine-run sixth inning to pull away for an 18-4 victory over the Catamounts in Southern Conference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

The two squads will play a double-header on Friday with first pitch at 2:00 pm. WCU will honor the three members of its senior class in a special on-field ceremony between games, prior to first pitch of the night cap. Video coverage of the game is available online with the SoCon Digital Network with live GameTracker online through CatamountSports.com.

Strong, a senior from Richlands, Va., added to his team-lead in both home runs (9) and RBI (53) with a line drive shot over the fence in the right field corner that trimmed VMI's early three-run edge to one, 3-2. Following a Pierce Suttles double - his fifth, two-base hit in his last eight games - Koehler collected his second hit of the game with RBI single up the middle to knot the game. Koehler finished 2-for-4, his sixth multi-hit game of the year.

WCU (20-27, 10-12 SoCon) was paced offensively by junior Danny Bermudez with a 3-for-4 performance including a pair of doubles. His second two-base knock down the left field line provided the Catamounts' final run of the day in the seventh inning. Freshman Caleb Robinson also doubled in a pinch hit role for the home squad.

Sophomore starter Bryan Sammons (4-5) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs - five earned - on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Reliever Colton Davis was touched for seven runs, also with three walks and one strikeout in a third of an inning while freshman Corey Sikes tossed an inning and two thirds allowing three runs on five hits.

Freshman reliever Drew Bolick gave up one run on solo homer to the first batter he faced, but recovered to retire five-straight with a pair of strikeouts before issuing a walk ahead of tallying the final out of the ninth on a ground ball to cap his two inning appearance.

Six Keydets recorded multi-hit games with infielder Thomas Stallings going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Jordan Tarsovich, Matt Winn, and Collin Fleischer each finished 2-for-5 for VMI (19-27, 11-11 SoCon). Will Connerley was 2-for-4 with three RBI with Brandon Angus matching with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate.

Starter Andrew Woods (7-1) scored the victory, scattering nine hits over seven innings with four earned runs allowed. He struck out four with a pair of walks. Two relievers - T.J. Lighton and Matthew Eagle - pitched the final two frames of hitless, scoreless relief to secure the win.