Box Score Charlotte, N.C. – Freshman
Pascanel Ferreras drove in three including a ninth-inning two-run home run as Western Carolina capitalized on Charlotte miscues to even the nonconference series with a 5-2 victory on Saturday afternoon at Hayes Stadium. WCU scored all the runs it would need in the top of the second inning with a three spot, two of which were unearned, with Ferreras tacking on a pair of insurance markers in the ninth inning.
The series rubber match is slated for Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. first pitch. Fans can follow the game with audio and live stats through links on CatamountSports.com.
WCU's five hits were spread between five different players with Ferreras homering in a 1-for-4 performance, adding a sacrifice fly for an RBI and
Daylan Nanny legging out a double in reaching twice in a 1-for-3 showing. Freshman
Cody Rech singled for his first collegiate hit in just his second game play, finishing 1-for-4.
Justice Bigbie singled in the top of the eighth inning to stretch his current reached base safely streak to 19-straight games including nine-in-a-row to end the abbreviated 2020 season and the first 10 games of the 20201 campaign.
Catamount starter freshman
Gavin Mortenson (1-0) scored his first career victory, surrendering just one run while scattering four hits over a career-long 5.2 innings of work on Saturday. The Summerfield, N.C., native worked around a pair of walks with five strikeouts. Relievers
Eric Wallington and
Jack Snyder combined to toss an inning and a third with Wallington ending a 49er threat in the sixth inning with a strikeout.
Zach Franklin picked up his first save of the season – seventh of his career – striking out four in two innings out of the bullpen.
First-baseman Will Butcher singled twice to lead the 49er offense while Craig Keuchel (1-for-4) tallied the lone extra base hit of the day with a double. Charlotte pitcher Bryce McGowan (2-1) suffered the loss despite striking out nine over six innings, allowing the three-run second inning that included a pair of unearned runs.
First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
