Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Trailing by four entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Western Carolina scratched the scoreboard for three runs and threatened for more by putting both the game-tying and go-ahead markers on base. However, the Catamounts were unable to complete the comeback, falling to Ball State, 9-8, in the series finale on Saturday afternoon in nonconference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

Down seven runs after only three innings -- and held without a base hit through the first three and two-thirds innings -- Western Carolina chipped away at the Cardinals' advantage with a pair of two-run innings in the sixth and seventh before an exciting ninth-inning rally.

Consecutive singles to start the frame by Cameron Blaquiere and Will Prater put runners at the corners ahead of Matthew Koehler, who reached on a fielder's choice to break-up a double-play and drove in Blaquiere for the first marker. Freshman Justice Bigbie then singled through the right side pushing Koehler all the way to third. WCU loaded the bases when Luke Robinson drew his second walk of the day to set-up Justin Sparks. Behind in the count one ball and two strikes, the Hendersonville, N.C., product drove a single to deep right center field that scored two as both Koehler and Bigbie raced home to make it a one-run game, 9-8.

However, Ball State reliever Cody Freed induced a rally and game-ending pop-up to the left side of the infield to score his first career save and complete the three-game sweep for the Cardinals.

Reliever Blake Therrian enabled the Catamounts to remain within striking distance, tossing four solid innings out of the bullpen in relief of Taylor Purus (0-4) who was saddled with the loss after a Ball State six-run third inning. Therrian got WCU out of the third with a strikeout as a part of retiring eight-consecutive batters until issuing the first of two walks on the day -- a free pass that was erased by a double-play the very next hitter.

All told, Therrian struck out a five against the two walks, surrendering one earned run on just one hit as a walk and a stolen base help produce a Ball State run in the top of the seventh inning.

Freshman RHP Zach Franklin tossed the final 2.1 innings, allowing just one run on two hits with four strikeouts and a walk that further allowed the Catamount offense to find its way and attempt the rally.

Following a scoreless first, Purus worked out of a jam in the second inning as Ball State loaded the bases with three-consecutive singles to start the frame. The left-handed hurler tallied the first out on a strikeout before a diving stab on a ground ball earmarked for center field and the subsequent flip to second by Cameron Blaquiere prevented a bigger rally as one run scored on the fielder's choice on out number two. After a hit batter again loaded the bases for the Cardinals, Purus got a harmless fly ball out to end the frame down just a run, 1-0.

WCU would not fare as well in the third inning as a pair of one-out singles and a walk again loaded the bases for Ball State. A pop-up out recorded by Will Prater behind the bag at second left three on with two gone for Noah Powell. After taking a first-pitch strike looking, Ball State head coach Rich Maloney called for a pinch hitter. Coming in cold of the bench and behind in the count, Rhett Wintner took a first pitch strike two before lacing the 0-2 pitch to the fence in right center field, clearing the bases as all three runners came home to jumpstart the rally.

When the dust settled in the top of the third, Ball State had seized a 7-0 lead and had 10 hits on the scoreboard. Meanwhile, the Catamounts were still in search of a base runner until Blaquiere was plunked by a pitch in the bottom of the frame.

WCU broke both the shutout and no-hitter bid in the bottom of the fourth as Luke Robinson blasted a two-out home run to right center field closing the deficit to six, 7-1, through four complete.

The Catamounts plated two runs in the home half of consecutive innings in both the sixth and seventh to trail by three, 8-5, through seven complete. In the sixth, Blaquiere and Matthew Koehler drew walks ahead of Justice Bigbie who lined a single up the middle for the first marker with Bo Fricks driving in the second run on a sacrifice fly to center field. Senior Caleb Robinson led off the seventh with a double off the wall in left before stealing third to move further in to scoring position where Blaquiere plated him on a sacrifice fly to right. Freshman Will Prater reached on a walk before taking second on a wild pitch. He was eventually driven in by Koehler on a sharp single through the right side.

Despite WCU's five-run rally, Ball State managed to keep the Catamounts at arm's length with solo markers in the top of the seventh and eighth innings, heading to the ninth with a seemingly comfortable, 9-5, lead that set-up WCU's rally.

Bigbie finished 3-for-5 with a trio of singles for his second, three-hit game of the week, while Luke Robinson's homer and Caleb Robinson's double marking the only extra base hits of the game for WCU which was out-hit, 13-to-9. Blaquiere officially finished 1-for-1 with a walk, HBP, and a sacrifice fly for his RBI. Sparks and Koehler led the Catamounts with two runs driven in apiece.

Ball State starter Kyle Nicolas (2-1) scored the victory with an impressive 5.1 innings of work, limiting WCU to just three runs on only three hits. He struck out a game-high seven while walking three. Freed tossed the final two-thirds of the ninth inning with one hit allowed and a strikeout.

Offensively for the Cardinals, four of their 13 hits went for extra bases including three doubles and a two-run home run by Drey Jameson as a part of the six-run third. Jameson finished with three RBI, as did Wintner on his pinch-hit double. Jeff Riedel tallied his sixth double of the series in a 1-for-5 performance while Justin Kirkpatrick reached four times in a 2-for-3, two walk outing.

Western Carolina (1-14) hits the road for a midweek nonconference game at SEC-foe, Tennessee, on Wednesday night before returning home next weekend to face Kent State at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium in the final nonconference weekend series before Southern Conference play begins. First pitch on Wednesday night is set for 6:00 pm in Knoxville.