Charlotte, N.C. – Freshman Pascanel Ferreras belted his second home run in as many days as a part of plating a career-best five runs as Western Carolina claimed the nonconference road series over the Charlotte 49ers with a 10-5 victory in Sunday afternoon's rubber match at Hayes Field.
 
Ferreras made the most of his two base hits in a 2-for-5 offensive showing, blasting a three-run home run to left-center in the sixth inning to blow open a two-run affair as a part of WCU's five-run frame. He tacked on two additional RBI with an eighth-inning two-out single as the Catamounts built a seven-run advantage and held on for the series-clinching victory, improving to 7-4 on the season.
 
Ferreras led four Catamounts with two-hit performances with senior Luke Robinson doubling in a 2-for-5 outing, plating WCU's first run on a third-inning single up the middle. Junior Justice Bigbie (2-for-5) and freshman Drew Needham (2-for-5) singled twice with freshman Cody Rech doubling in a 1-for-3 effort with both he and classmate Zach Ketterman scoring two runs apiece. Bigbie has reached in 20-straight games dating back to last season.
 
Redshirt junior RHP Ryan Mitschele (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season, setting-up the Catamount offense for success by limiting the 49ers to just two runs while scattering seven hits over 7.0 innings of work. The Statesville, N.C., product worked around a walk with three strikeouts and retired Charlotte in order twice. Sophomore Davis Tyndall struck out one in two relief innings, surrendering runs to two inherited base runners but worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth before retiring the side in order in the ninth.
 
Robinson plated Seth Graves on a single up the middle in the third inning and Daylan Nanny drew a bases-loaded walk for a second marker as the Catamounts grabbed the early, 2-0, lead a third of the way through Sunday's finale. However, Charlotte used back-to-back, solo home runs in the home half of the frame to tie the game at two through three complete.
 
WCU's five-run sixth inning proved to be the difference as Needham plated two on a single to left field as the Catamounts capitalized on a 49er error and a walk. WCU used a double steal to move both Nanny and Ketterman into position for Needham's hit for the 4-2 edge. Rech was hit by a pitch before Ferreras hit the three-run homer for a 7-2 edge after five and a half innings.
 
Like he did in Saturday's victory, Ferreras tacked on two insurance markers for the Catamounts, singling to center in the top of the eighth inning to give WCU a 9-2 lead. Charlotte rebounded with three runs in the home half of the eighth, loading the bases and pushing across runs on a single, an HBP, and an infield put out on a fielder's choice, but Tyndall stranded two to get out of the jam with a 9-5 edge.
 
Bigbie led-off the ninth with a single before later scoring from third on a failed pick-off attempt to provide the final tally, 10-5.
 
Charlotte starter Matt Brooks (1-1) took the loss despite striking out seven over 5.0 innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and issued a pair of walks. The 49ers used seven relievers in Sunday's series finale. Catcher Aaron McKeithan finished 4-for-4 with a run-scoring single to lead Charlotte as both teams rapped out 11 hits apiece.
 
Western Carolina returns home to open a four-game homestand, hosting the Kennesaw State Owls on Wednesday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 pm with the game slated to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required). The Catamounts remain at home to entertain St. John's for a three-game series over the weekend in Cullowhee.