Box Score

Greenville, N.C. - Freshman Luke Robinson delivered a pinch-hit single in the top of the ninth inning to score Matt Smith as Western Carolina rallied to tie Friday's game at East Carolina. However, three-consecutive singles to start the bottom of the frame loaded the bases for East Carolina before Luke Bolka drew a walk-off base on balls as the ninth-ranked Pirates handed WCU a 5-4 loss in their opener at the 14th annual Keith LeClair Classic.

WCU nearly pulled ahead in the top of the final frame on Robinson's run-scoring single, but Luke's twin brother, Andrew, was thrown out at home trying to score from second on the play for the second out. The Catamounts were unable to bring Nobu Suzuki in from third, stranding two aboard at the conclusion of the frame.

Redshirt senior Bryson Bowman gave the Catamounts the early advantage with a three-run home run in the top of the third inning. Cameron Blaquiere drew a one-out walk ahead of Brett Pope who collected his lone hit of the day on a bunt single to put two aboard. Bowman then blasted a pitch over the left field fence for the early advantage.

East Carolina (6-3) got on the board in the bottom of the fourth by pushing two runs across on consecutive run-scoring singles by Wes Phillips and T.J. Riles to close the gap to within one. Then, an inning later, the Pirates tied the game on a two-out single by Spencer Brickhouse, knotting the game at three.

In the seventh, ECU pulled ahead with an unearned run after a throw to second looking to nail a would-be base stealer kicked away allowing the runner to scamper to third. Two batters later, Bolka lifted a sacrifice fly into center to push the Pirates ahead, 4-3, setting up the ninth-inning fireworks.

Smith finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles to lead the Catamounts, while Bowman's three-run homer -- his second round-tripper of the season -- drove home a game-best three RBI. Offensively, the Catamounts drew four walks, but struck out 15 times against Pirate pitching.

Senior starter Bryan Sammons factored in a no-decision for WCU, countering four walks with five strikeouts over six innings, surrendering three runs on six hits. Junior Dylan Biumi made his season debut with a third of an inning, issuing a walk which eventually scored an unearned ECU run. Redshirt senior Dillon Bray (0-1) suffered the loss in 1.2 innings of work with the game-winning run scoring after he left the mound. Senior Korey Anderson induced a fielder's choice, force play at home in the bottom of the ninth for his third of an inning, but issued the walk.

Pirate starter Evan Kruczynski was taken out after 2.2 innings of work after surrendering three runs on four hits with three strikeouts against a walk. Jake Agnos tossed five relief innings before Joe Ingle (2-0) scored the victory by tossing the final inning and a third.

Western Carolina (4-4) returns to action on Saturday at Noon as the Catamounts face long-time rival, Appalachian State (4-5), which suffered a 7-3 tournament loss to No. 16 St. John's on Friday.