Box Score |     |  Post-Game Press Conference

Clemson, S.C. - Western Carolina's start in the program's 12th NCAA regional appearance all-time could not have gone much better. Sophomore Caleb Robinson belted a two-run home run in the second inning as the fourth-seeded Catamounts built a 6-0 lead through the top of the third inning. However, the No. 9 Clemson Tigers roared back in a big way to advance in regional play with a 24-10 victory Friday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The Tigers, the tournament champion from the ACC, took advantage of 17 walks and belted seven home runs -- both school records in NCAA tournament play -- as it claimed its 10th-straight victory, and advanced into Saturday night's winner's bracket match-up with Oklahoma State, which blanked Nebraska, 6-0, on Friday.

WCU (30-30) dropped into the regional loser's bracket and will face the Cornhuskers for the first-time ever at Noon on Saturday in an elimination game at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3 with live streaming audio from the Catamount Sports Network available online at CatamountSports.com. Fans can also follow along through Twitter using the handle, @Catamounts.

"We thought we started off pretty good, but then we started walking guys and the rest, as they say, is history," said WCU head coach Bobby Moranda during his postgame press conference. "That was an impressive offensive performance by Clemson. We just did not execute what so ever from a pitching standpoint and they made us pay, got to give them credit."

Moranda added, "We'll need to rebound tonight, come back tomorrow (Saturday) facing a very good Nebraska team; we've got to forget about this one pretty soon."

Robinson finished with four RBI in a 2-for-4 showing at the plate to lead the Catamounts, while classmate Brett Pope collected a game-high four singles in a 4-for-5 showing, scoring twice and driving in a run. Redshirt junior Bryson Bowman singled twice, one plating a run for the Purple and Gold, while senior Kramer Ferrell reached base three times with a pair of HBPs and a single.

SoCon tournament MVP, junior Matt Smith, finished 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI, driving in runs on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly.

After the Catamounts scored six runs between the top of the second and third innings, the Tigers clawed right back into the fray with a 10-spot in the home half of the third, sending 13 batters to the plate. Clemson tallied six hit including two home runs during the rally, capitalizing on five walks and a hit batter in the decisive rally.

The onslaught by the home squad continued with a five-run fifth followed by scoring three runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. WCU managed to bring home a trio of markers in the top of the seventh with a single run in the eighth.

WCU used seven different pitchers on Friday night with the first reliever, junior Korey Anderson, taking the loss after allowing four runs in a third of an inning out of the bullpen. Starter Bryan Sammons tossed 2.1 innings before coming out in the third inning. All told, seven Western Carolina pitchers combined to throw 258 pitches on the evening. The Tigers had more walks than hits (14) in the contest.

For Clemson, catcher Chris Okey and outfielder Mike Triller both homered twice with freshman DH Seth Beer providing one of the big blows with a grand slam home run to straight-away center field in the 10-run third inning. Four players had at least four RBIs for Clemson.

Tiger starter Charlie Barnes (6-4) labored early, surrendering nine of WCU's 10 runs -- only five of which were earned -- while striking out six against three walks in 6.1 innings to score the victory.

WCU is back in action at Noon on Saturday in the NCAA Clemson Regional.