Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina's offense was stymied on Sunday afternoon as Mercer starter Christian Vann limited the Catamounts to just two base hits as the Bears scored the 12-0 victory in eight innings of a run-ruled Southern Conference series finale at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

With first pitch moved up an hour in an attempt to avoid inclement weather slated to hit Western North Carolina in the mid-afternoon, the Catamount offense never woke-up for the earlier start time. After being held in check over the first six innings, Mercer (28-14, 8-7 SoCon) found its stroke over what proved to be the final two frames with back-to-back five-run innings highlighted by a Le Bassett pinch hit grand slam home run that sparked the Bears' breakout.

Vann (3-2) worked around the two hits and three walks with seven strikeouts and was never really pressured over the seven inning appearance. Only once did he have to deal with a runner at third base with just two other Catamounts reaching second in the loss. Reliever Nick Spear tossed the final inning in the eighth, striking out one in hitless, scoreless relief.

Catamount starting pitcher Taylor Purus (1-9) dueled Vann through six innings before things unraveled in the seventh inning. A lead-off walk was magnified as WCU was unable to record an out on a would-be sacrifice bunt, putting two aboard. A double-steal with one out prompted WCU to finish an intentional walk to Jackson Ware to get to J.T. Thomas, whose offensive struggles had continued entering the weekend. However, a low pitch down-and-in was awarded a run-scoring HBP, effectively chasing Purus. Bassett then pinch hit against right-hander Blake Therrian where he snuck the four-run homer inside the right field foul pole for the proverbial back-breaker.

All told, Purus was saddled with six runs on six hits with three walks countered by seven strikeouts.

WCU's bullpen, which was little used up until Sunday's finale, was tagged for six combined runs on seven hits including the surrendering the grand slam homer to Bassett. Four of the seven total walks issued by Catamount pitching were by four total relievers.

Redshirt junior Matthew Koehler reached twice for WCU, barreling-up the home squad's best base hit of the day on a fifth-inning single up the middle. Senior Spencer Holcomb tallied the only other base hit in the loss on an infield knock in the fourth inning. Holcomb has reached successfully in 11-straight. Senior infielder Caleb Robinson and redshirt freshman designated hitter Bo Fricks were the only other two Catamounts to reach base, doing so on walks.

WCU freshman Justice Bigbie saw both his hitting and reached base safely streaks come to a close on Sunday, finishing 0-for-3. His hit streak was halted at a team-best 15-straight and he had reached safely in 21-consecutive prior to the series finale.

Mercer was led at the top of its order by Alex Hanson, who capped a solid weekend in Cullowhee with a 3-for-4, two RBI performance at the plate while shortstop R.J. Yeager also collected three hits in a 3-for-5, three RBI outing. Bassett homered in his lone plate appearance, plating a team-best four runs with Thomas driving in two -- one on the HBP and another on a double.

Western Carolina (4-34, 2-13 SoCon) is slated to step out of conference in the midweek, traveling to Chapel Hill, N.C., to face the nationally-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels at Boshamer Stadium. First pitch on Wednesday, April 25 is scheduled for 6:00 pm. WCU returns home to face ETSU in league play next weekend, April 27-29 in Cullowhee.