Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina nearly erased all of an early six-run deficit on Saturday afternoon, clawing back to within a run at 6-5 through six complete in the series rubber match against Samford. However, the Bulldogs closed with a strong final third of the game for a third consecutive day by outscoring the Catamounts 11-1 over the final three innings to claim the finale and the series 17-6 at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
 
Senior Daniel Walsh belted a three-run triple to right-center field in the home half of the fifth inning to pull the Catamounts back to within two runs, 6-4. Nate Stocum delivered a pinch-hit single and scored on a wild pitch to make it a one-run game an inning later. But the Bulldogs squelched any thoughts of a rally with three runs in the seventh, a five-run fifth, and another three-spot in the top of the ninth inning.
 
Walsh and classmate Bryson Parks both finished with two hits, combining for four of WCU's six knocks on the afternoon. Walsh tripled and Parks – who is amidst an eight-game hitting streak – doubled for the Catamounts. Will Prater reached base four times with a single and three walks, also recording an RBI.
 
Samford's Colton Ledbetter had a career day to pace the Bulldogs, finishing 3-for-4 with a pair of three-run home runs, an intentional walk, and nine total RBI. Blake Bortak, one of the weekend heroes on the mound for the 'Dogs, plated four runs in a 2-for-2 effort after entering as a latter inning substitution.
 
Making his second appearance of the weekend, Catamount starter Zebby Matthews (1-6) was saddled with the loss despite striking out seven over a five-inning start. The Cullowhee native who collected the save in Thursday night's win surrendered six runs – five of which were earned – on nine hits with a walk and two hit batters. Lucas Hartman struck out three in relief with Nick Hyde and Carson Lowder also recording strikeouts as WCU used seven pitchers.
 
Jalon Long held WCU's offense in check for much of his 4.1 inning start, working around four walks with a strikeout while limiting the Catamounts to a pair of unearned runs on just one hit. Alex Goff (4-1) picked up the victory in relief, allowing three unearned runs on just two hits with three walks and a strikeout. Carson Hobbs scored his sixth save of the season by tossing three, one-run, and three-hit relief innings.
 
Western Carolina (15-20, 1-4 SoCon) concludes its stretch of eight-straight home games on Tuesday, April 19, by hosting the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs (13-23) for the second of three seasonal meetings – the second coming in Cullowhee. Tuesday's game is presented by Catamount Peak Apartments. WCU downed Gardner-Webb 14-2 in the midweek back on April 6. Tuesday's game is slated to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com.