Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina borrowed a page out of Kent State's book on Saturday afternoon, outscoring one of the nation's top finishing teams, 4-0, over the final two innings to tie the game at four and force extra innings. However, the Golden Flashes came back to life in the top of the 10th inning, pushing across a pair of runs to claim the series-clinching victory, 6-4, in nonconference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

Trailing 4-0 through seven complete, the Catamounts started the rally in the eighth as Caleb Robinson collected the first of two singles in the game. Standing at third with two out in the frame, his younger brother Luke Robinson drove a single through the left side for WCU's first run. Will Prater, who reached on a fielder's choice, was then driven home on a run-scoring single through the right side by Justice Bigbie to cut the deficit in half, 4-2.

An inning later, defensive substitution Clay Hodges ignited the Catamount rally with a one-out bunt single, taking second on an error on a failed pickoff attempt. Caleb Robinson drove his second hit of the day into left field to put runners at the corners. Bo Fricks then plated Hodges on a groundout to second base, trimming the margin to just one, 4-3. Then, pinch hitter Kitt Capell dropped a bloop single down the first base line to score pinch runner Immanuel Wilder with the game-tying marker, 4-4.

In the decisive top of the 10th, though, Mason Mamarella singled into right field before promptly stealing second base -- his 11th theft of the season. Nick Kanavas reached on a bunt single that put runners at the corners as a part of Kent State loading the bases without an out being recorded as Pavin Parks drew a walk. Two batters later, catcher Tim Dalporto drove a two RBI single through the left side to score both Mamarella and Kanavas that eventually provided the final tally.

WCU put its lead-off man aboard in the home portion of the 10th as Luke Robinson was hit by a pitch, but a double-play and a ground out to second ended the game.

Both Luke and Caleb Robinson finished with two hits apiece in the loss in 2-for-4 performances, while freshman Justice Bigbie matched with a pair of hits including WCU's only extra base knock on a seventh-inning double. Luke Robinson and Cameron Blaquiere both extended hit streaks to five-consecutive games

Kent State (9-5) scored in the third inning on a RBI double by Nick Kanavas, who led the Kent State attack with his second-straight, three-hit performance, finishing 3-for-5. The big shot, though, came in the fifth as Pavin Parks -- who eventually scored the win on the mound -- belted a three-run home run to right field that staked the Golden Flashes to the 4-0 advantage.

For a second-straight day, the Catamount pitching staff did the job to keep the team in contention to halt the program's longest winless drought. Starter Tristan Baker scattered seven hits and four runs over the first five innings in factoring in a no-decision. Baker countered a walk and two HBPs with five strikeouts before giving way to the bullpen, exiting in a 4-0 hole.

Redshirt sophomore Blake Therrian (0-2) then matched Baker's five frames on the hill, striking out four against a walk and scattering three total base hits -- each coming in Kent State's two-run 10th -- to hold serve and allow his offense to come to life. The Portage, Mich., native was the tough-luck loser for WCU on the mound with the two-runs scoring in the 10th.

Conversely, Parks (1-0) earned the win for Kent State, tossing the final two innings in relief with a strikeout, allowing WCU's two, ninth-inning runs on three hits. Parks was the fourth different pitcher to toe the rubber for the Golden Flashes, three in relief of All-American starter, Joey Murray, who struck out 10 over six innings of three-hit, scoreless work.

The final game of the nonconference series is scheduled for a 1:00 pm first pitch on Sunday afternoon in Cullowhee. Fans can catch the game on the SoCon Digital Network with live streaming audio/video, with live GameTracker also available online at CatamountSports.com.