Boiling Springs, N.C. – Junior Will Prater led three Catamounts with multiple-hit games on Wednesday night, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBI and Western Carolina's bullpen retired 12 of the final 13 batters, it faced in a 12-2 nonconference road win over Gardner-Webb at John H. Moss Stadium / Bill Masters Field. 
 
Prater doubled in his three-hit performance as did freshman Zach Ketterman who finished 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI to help pace the Catamounts. Prater currently enjoys a seven-game hitting streak. Junior Daylan Nanny singled twice with an RBI in a 2-for-5 showing, extending his reached base safely streak to 22-consecutive games – each game WCU has played this season – that includes a 10-game hitting streak. Daniel Walsh reached on a walk and a single likewise extending his streak to each game he's played this season, 18 overall. 
 
Immanuel Wilder, a late-inning defensive substitution, blasted a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to provide the final tally. 
 
The Catamounts scored in bunches on Wednesday, pushing across three runs in the top of the first and ninth innings and breaking things open with a four-run sixth inning. Meanwhile, the WCU bullpen silenced the Runnin' Bulldogs, ending the fifth inning with a double-play and allowing just one additional base runner over the final four frames. 
 
Starter Tristen Campbell (1-0) was credited with the win in the midweek affair, surrendering two runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Christian Sidoti allowed just one hit in an inning of scoreless relief while Cole Beverlin muzzled the Bulldogs, striking out four in three perfect innings of work. Eric Wallington worked around a walk with a game-ending strikeout in a scoreless inning in the ninth. 
 
Gardner-Webb (11-11) starter Noah Davis (0-20 was roughed-up in the start, surrendering three unearned runs on two hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Hunter Youngblood, the eighth different pitcher used by GWU, struck out the side despite allowing the three-run homer to Wilder. 

Both Runnin' Bulldog runs came in the first two innings, one on an infield ground out the other on a ground-rule double to right center field. Ben LaSpaluto led Gardner-Webb with a 2-for-3 effort including a double and a triple as four of the home squad's seven hits went for extra bases.
 
Western Carolina (15-7) returns home this weekend in Southern Conference play, hosting the VMI Keydets at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. The amended three-game series is now scheduled to open on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. with a doubleheader and a scheduled Sunday finale at 3 p.m.