Conway, S.C. – Kennesaw State jumped on Western Carolina early, capitalizing on walks with timely hitting to push across 10 runs over the first third of the game in handing the Catamounts their first setback of the season, 12-0, in second day action at the Brittain Resorts and Hotels Invitational, hosted by Coastal Carolina at Springs Brooks Stadium.
Western Carolina (5-1) entered the day with a chance at history, eyeing a program-best six-game win streak to start the season. However, with early struggles both on the mound and at the plate, those aspirations quickly faded. It was the second-time under head coach
Bobby Moranda that WCU had won its first five games to start a season – also doing so in 2010 before dropping game two to Moranda's alma mater, Eastern Kentucky. WCU did start the 2010 season 8-1.
The Catamounts were limited to just four hits over the nine innings on Saturday scattered between four different hitters.
Daniel Walsh reached base a team-best three times with a single and two walks while
Luke Robinson and
Michael Goehrig also both collected singles with Robinson drawing a walk and Goehrig reaching on a latter inning HBP. Sophomore
Jalen Jones added a pinch-hit single but was left at third base in the eighth inning.
Junior
Immanuel Wilder reached base twice, plunked two times for a team-high eight HBPs through six games played.
Kennesaw State (4-2) capitalized on five walks and four hits including a two-RBI double and bases-loaded triple as a part of an eight-run home half of the first inning to seize control of Saturday's nonconference tournament meeting. The Owls then lit the scoreboard for two more in the third inning as consecutive walks matriculated around to plate runs for the 10-0 edge through three complete.
The Owls capped scoring in the eighth inning, tacking on a pair of insurance markers on a walk, a double, and a sacrifice fly to provide the final tally.
WCU wasn't without its opportunities to climb back into the game, but stranded a total of 14 base runners including eight over the first third of the game – two in the first and left the bases loaded in both the second and third innings. The Catamounts left men aboard in seven of the nine frames.
Catamount starter
Chase Walter (0-1) struggled in his second appearance of the season, lifted in the third inning before recording an out. The Peachtree City, Ga., native struck out four among the six outs he recorded, but was tagged for 10 runs – nine of which were earned – after issuing a career-worst seven walks. Freshmen relievers
Corey Bright and
Dylan Wheeler – the latter making his collegiate debut – combined to toss six innings, three apiece. Bright struck out one without allowing a run on two hits while Wheeler posted his first two career Ks, surrendering two eighth-inning runs on a hit and a walk.
All told, Catamount pitching issued 11 combined walks with seven total strikeouts and surrendered three extra base hits among the seven collected by the Owls.
Reliever Brayden Edison (1-0) scored the victory for Kennesaw State, entering the game in the top of the third inning with the Catamounts threatening. He tossed 4.2 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief with a pair of strikeouts though he did hit three batters. Starter Gage Vailes struck out four against four walks and one HBP. Bowen Bock and Malik Spratling closed the game out of the bullpen for KSU.
The Owls had two players post multi-hit games with Nick Colina and Logan Fink both finishing 2-for-4. Tyler Tolve drove home three on a triple while both Justin Russell and Garrett Hodges doubled home a combined three runs in the win, Kennesaw State's fourth-straight over WCU in the head-to-head series.
Western Carolina wraps up play in the Brittain Resorts & Hotels Invitational on Sunday afternoon against Saint Joseph's. With the altered schedule, the Catamounts and Hawks will play at TicketReturn.com Field, home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, with a 2:00 pm first pitch. Coastal Carolina will look to provide live stats coverage thru: https://sjuhawks.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary.
