Cullowhee, N.C. – UNC Asheville capitalized on opportunities early Tuesday evening, racing to a four-run lead it would never relinquish while stymying the potent Western Carolina offense as the Bulldogs handed the Catamounts their first loss of the season, 10-4, in midweek nonconference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
 
Freshman Pascanel Ferreras collected half of WCU's six hits in the loss, finishing 3-for-5 with his second career double and a run scored. Junior Justice Bigbie, who collected his first career Southern Conference Player of the Week honors on Monday, drove in two to add to his conference-leading 12 RBI in a 1-for-4 outing. The Catamounts also got back-to-back one-out home runs in the home half of the second inning from junior Bryson Parks and redshirt sophomore Tom Brosnahan.
 
A first-inning Catamount error prolonged the top of the opening frame and allowed for three additional runs to score for UNCA (1-0) as the Bulldogs led 4-0 after half an inning. WCU twice trimmed the lead down, plating a solo marker in the home half of the first and lighting the scoreboard with a three-spot in the bottom of the second to trail 5-4 after two innings.
 
However, the Bulldogs loaded the bases in the top of the third inning where Drew Bristow delivered a two-run single to left with a third marker scoring on an infield ground out to stretch the margin back to four, 8-4. UNCA tacked on insurance markers in the fifth and sixth while its pitching staff held the Catamounts in check, stranding 11 runners on to tally the victory.
 
All told, the Bulldogs outslugged the Catamounts 14-to-6 on Tuesday, winning for the seventh time in the last eight series meetings over their mountain-rival – and for the fourth consecutive victory in Cullowhee.
 
Catamount starter Dawson Elder (0-1) was saddled with the loss, surrendering seven runs – only four of which were earned – on six hits with a pair of strikeouts against one walk. Six relievers saw action behind Elder with Eric Wallington striking out the side in the seventh inning and Jackson Kirkpatrick fanning the three batters he faced in the top of the ninth.
 
Four Bulldog batters posted multi-hit games with Ty Kaufman (3-for-4), Easton Jones (3-for-4) and Drew Bristow (3-for-5) each tallying a team-high three hits. Sebastian Dunn added a 2-for-5, two RBI showing for UNCA. Catcher P.J. Heintz plated two runs on a first-inning single that gave the Bulldogs the 4-0 advantage.
 
UNCA starter Jacob Edwards (1-0) was awarded the victory despite just tossing one inning in the pre-determined short start. Reliever J.P. Perez was the most effective of the first three arms used by the Bulldogs, inheriting a bases-loaded jam with one out but limiting the Catamounts to one run with a pair of ground ball outs as UNCA escaped the second with a one-run, 5-4 lead. Perez struck out two and the final four relievers combined to hold WCU scoreless with just two hits while striking out seven.
 
Western Carolina (4-1) hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Wilmington, N.C., to face the CAA favorite UNC Wilmington Seahawks (3-0) for a three-game set at Brooks Field. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 4 pm with an updated 2 pm start on Saturday and 1 pm on Sunday in the series finale. The first two games will be broadcast on FLOBASEBALL (paid subscription required) with Sunday's game available on the Seahawk Digital Network.