Box Score |   

Cullowhee, N.C. - Appalachian State shook off its early-season offensive woes on Tuesday afternoon, scoring all the runs it would need in an early-inning barrage, plating 10 runs over the first three frames in handing Western Carolina a 13-3 home loss at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

The Mountaineers tallied two runs in the first before consecutive four-run innings resulted in a 10-1 lead as App State went on to claim its third-straight win over WCU. Both teams finished with a dozen hits aside, though the Mountaineers had six extra base hits and capitalized on two Catamount errors and seven walks on the day.

Three Catamounts recorded multi-hit games on Tuesday with redshirt junior Matthew Koehler homering as a part of a 3-for-5 performance while classmate Andrew Bullock finished 3-for-3 with a RBI single. Senior Caleb Robinson posted a 2-for-3 showing with a double at the plate. Koehler as well as Andrew Robinson and Bo Fricks, who collected his second hit of the season, combined for WCU's three runs scored.

Catamount starter Blake Therrian (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs -- five of which were earned -- on six hits over the first two innings. Therrian recorded a team-best three of WCU's nine strikeouts against two walks. In all, five relievers took the mound over the final seven innings with each tallying at least one strikeout. Taylor Purus and Michael Davis both recorded hitless, scoreless innings freshman Caleb Bishop struck out two in his inning of work.

Down two after the top of the first inning, WCU cut the deficit in half in the home portion of the frame as Andrew Robinson was plunked ahead of Justin Sparks who singled through the left side to put two aboard. Bullock then drove a shot down the third base line, scoring Robinson for the 2-1 score.

Appalachian State then erupted for eight runs on nine hits over the next two frames to take the commanding, 10-1, lead.

Koehler blasted a 1-0 pitch over the fence in right field for a lead-off, solo home run in the fifth to pull WCU back to within eight, but the Catamounts were unable to capitalize on the offensive spark. App State tacked on two runs in the seventh and a solo marker in the eighth before Fricks scampered home on an infield RBI ground out by Trent Youstin to provide the final tally.

For the Mountaineers (3-4), four players recorded two-hit games with catcher Riley Smith finishing 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, four RBI, and three runs scored. Designated hitter Jason Avers also drove in four in a 2-for-5 showing while Conner Leonard homered in a 2-for-6 outing.

Appalachian State starter Travis Holden (2-0) earned the win, scattering eight hits over six innings while only allowing two runs.

With Wednesday's scheduled game against UNC Asheville postponed due to unfavorable forecasts, Western Carolina (1-7) turns its attention to a three-game road series this weekend against No. 10 Louisville. Each game will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra and can be seen online through WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app.