Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - ETSU used an eight-run fourth inning to break-open a tie game on Sunday afternoon as the Buccaneers handed Western Carolina an 11-8 loss to complete the Southern Conference series sweep at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

For a second-consecutive day, both teams reached double-digit hits as the Bucs edged the Catamounts, 14-13, with 13 of the combined 27 hits going for extra bases including 10 doubles. But it was small ball that proved to be among the biggest run producers in the series finale.

Catamount senior catcher Spencer Holcomb pushed a run-scoring sacrifice bunt up the first base line to drive in the game-tying run in the bottom of the third inning, knotting the game at one apiece. However, the Buccaneers exploded in the top of the following frame, loading the bases on a trio of hits that didn't leave the infield including a pair of perfectly-placed bunts. Jackson Greer delivered a two-RBI double before a third bunt in the inning pushed across a third marker.

But the big blow came as the Buccaneers loaded the bases for a second time in the inning ahead of first baseman Christian Bailey who belted a 2-0 pitch over the fence in center field to cap the eight-run frame.

Following the big blast, WCU managed to outscore ETSU, 7-2, including responding with a two-spot in the bottom of the fourth inning. But the damage had been done and the Catamounts were unable to rally as the Bucs found just enough offense down the stretch.

Making the start in left field, Tristan Baker -- Saturday's starting pitcher -- paced five Catamounts with multi-hit games on Sunday with a career-best 3-for-5 showing that included three RBI and the first two extra base hits of his career. The junior from Charlotte, N.C., legged out a two-RBI double in the fourth inning before bouncing a triple down the first base line, scoring a run in the eighth. In the ninth inning, Baker singled up the middle to plate WCU's final run of the day as he finished a home run shy of the cycle.

Holcomb finished 2-for-4 with a double and pair of runs scored in addition to his RBI while classmate Caleb Robinson likewise capped a solid series with a 2-for-4 performance, singling twice with a RBI and a run scored. Holcomb has now reached in 15-consecutive games, the longest active streak on the team. Freshman Justice Bigbie and redshirt junior Matthew Koehler both finished 2-for-5 in the loss as Bigbie doubled twice for a team-high 11 two-base hits on the season and Koehler legged out his fourth double of the year.

WCU's Justin Sparks also managed to extend his reached base streak to 11-straight with a fifth-inning RBI single.

Catamount starter Taylor Purus (1-10) battled through five and two-thirds innings on the mound, striking out eight against three walks. He was touched up for 10 runs on 11 base hits including the eight-run fourth inning. Redshirt sophomore transfer Blake Therrian tossed an inning and a third of hitless, scoreless relief issuing a walk and a hit batter, while freshman Zach Franklin pitched the final two innings, working around a trio of walks with a strikeout with a run scoring on three hits.

ETSU reliever Daniel Sweeney (3-2) picked up the victory after tossing an inning and two-thirds out of the bullpen, limiting WCU to two runs on four hits with a walk and a strikeout. Starter Russell Koesters exited after four and a third, scattering five hits with four runs allowed, three of which were earned. Koesters struck out four with a pair of walks.

Six Buccaneers posted multiple hits in the final game of the series with shortstop Chris Cook finishing a triple shy of the cycle in a 3-for-5, three-run performance. He doubled in the first inning as a part of scoring the game's first run before belting a two-out solo home run in the sixth inning. Greer reached four times with a 2-for-3 outing at the plate while also drawing two walks. Bailey, who hit the grand slam homer, was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Western Carolina (4-38, 2-16 SoCon) is idle during the midweek before traveling to Greenville, S.C., to face the Furman Paladins next weekend, May 4-6. Each game will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network with live streaming video available through Furman's production on the SoCon Digital Network.