Cullowhee, N.C. – Big innings were the deciding factors as Western Carolina split its Southern Conference doubleheader with Samford on Friday at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. The Bulldogs rode a five-run eighth inning in game one of the twinbill to rally from a two-run deficit to down WCU, 8-5, in the series opener, while the Catamounts used a six-run second inning to claim the nightcap, 7-2.
 
WCU's two starting pitchers combined for 21 strikeouts on Friday as sophomore Zebby Matthews struck out 11 over 7.0 innings in a no-decision in the opener, while junior Ryan Mitschele fanned a career-best 10 over a three-hit complete game as the Catamounts evened the series in game two.
 
Sunday's series rubber match is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium and is slated to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required).
 
Junior outfielder Seth Graves finished 3-for-8 with a double in the two games, tallying a team-best three RBI. Senior Luke Robinson likewise posted three hits with a double with one run driven-in, and junior Will Prater singled twice in a 2-for-8 showing with two RBI.
 
Junior Daylan Nanny extended both lengthy offensive streaks on Friday. He pushed his reached base safely streak to 28-straight games – each game played this season – and stretched his career-long hitting streak to 16 games with a 3-for-7 performance that included his team-leading 12th double of the season. The Plainfield, Ind., native also drew a pair of walks in Friday's doubleheader.
 
Game One Recap – Samford 8, Western Carolina 5:
Western Carolina broke a 1-1 with a two-run home half of the seventh inning in game one of Friday's doubleheader. However, Samford outscored the Catamounts 7-2 over the final two innings, including a five-run top of the eighth inning to claim the series-opener, 8-5.
 
Pinch hitter Nate Stocum singled down the first baseline to break the tie, scoring Daniel Walsh, who singled up the middle to open the frame. Seth Graves then popped a bunt over the head of the charging third baseman for an infield RBI single to push WCU in front, 3-1.
 
However, the lead was short-lived as Samford scored five runs on four hits, with a WCU error aiding the rally that put the Bulldogs ahead 6-3. The visitors added a two-spot in the top of the ninth to lead 8-3 headed to the home half. Graves then doubled to left field with two aboard and two out to pull the Catamounts back to within three runs before a fly-out to center ended the game.
 
Graves finished 2-for-4 with three RBI in game one, while Daylan Nanny was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
WCU starter Zebby Matthews struck out 11 over seven innings, limiting the Bulldogs to a run on six hits with three walks. Reliever Zach Franklin (4-3) was saddled with the loss, surrendering seven runs – only four of which were earned – with three walks and a strikeout.
 
Carson Cupo (5-0) benefited from the five-run top of the eighth to score the victory for the Bulldogs, allowing two hits in just two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen in relief of Samuel Strickland, who fanned four over 6.1 innings.
 
Four Bulldogs finished with multiple-hit games, with Will David (3-for-3) and Max Pinto (3-for-6) finishing with three hits apiece and David also drawing a pair of walks. Sonny DiChiara doubled in a two-hit performance, driving in three, while Tyler McManus was 2-for-4.
 
Game Two Recap – Western Carolina 7, Samford 2:
Junior Ryan Mitschele tossed a three-hit complete game as Western Carolina evened the three-game series with a 7-2 victory in game two of Friday's doubleheader.
 
Mitschele (3-2) worked around six walks with 10 strikeouts while limiting the Bulldogs to a pair of one-run innings in the first and second as the Catamounts fell behind 2-0 before the six-run bottom of the second. Samford's three hits all came in the first two frames as Mitschele did not allow a base knock after the second inning. It was the second career complete game for the Statesville, N.C., native, his first coming against The Citadel in May of 2019.
 
Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning, the Catamounts erupted for six runs, each scoring after the first two batters were retired on strikeouts. Immanuel Wilder opened the rally by drawing a walk and Seth Graves singling. A base hit through the right side by Pascanel Ferreras plated the first run with the first of two Bulldog errors allowing Ferreras to end up at third base and the game-tying run to score. Luke Robinson doubled, and Justice Bigbie singled to bring home two more runs with a second Samford miscue continuing the inning. Will Prater cashed in with a two-run single to push the home squad in front, 6-2.
 
Mitschele then took over on the mound for WCU, limiting the Bulldogs to just two base runners over the next six innings, coming on a pair of walks while retiring Samford in order in four separate innings. In the ninth, Samford put two aboard with walks before Mitschele induced a game-ending ground ball to score the series-evening victory.
 
Ferreras, Robinson, and Bigbie collected two hits apiece with an RBI as four of WCU's 11 hits in game two went for extra bases.
 
Samford starter Jesse McCord (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing six runs – four earned – on nine hits while striking out eight against four walks. Relievers Billy Creger and Gene Hurst added five strikeouts over the final three frames, with Hurst fanning four over an inning and two-thirds.
 
The three Bulldog hits were scattered between three players, with Colton Ledbetter doubling in a 1-for-4 effort. Garrett Howe reached four times, singling in a 1-for-1 effort while drawing three walks, with Tyler McManus posting a 1-or-4 effort with an RBI.
 
The series concludes on Saturday afternoon with a 3 p.m. first pitch in Cullowhee.