Lexington, Va. – VMI pushed across eight runs on nine hits in what proved to be the decisive home half of the third inning to hand Western Carolina a 14-8 loss on Saturday afternoon to even the best-of-three Southern Conference series at Gray-Minor Stadium.
The series rubber match is scheduled for Sunday (May 1)
with the first pitch moved up to 10 a.m. in an attempt to get ahead of unfavorable forecasts. The finale is slated to be streamed on ESPN+ (
paid subscription required).
The Keydets (13-30, 4-7 SoCon) scored four runs before the first out was recorded in the third inning, finishing the game with 19 base hits including six for extra bases. The Catamounts managed 11 hits in the loss including eight for extra bases with five doubles and three home runs.
WCU (19-23, 4-7 SoCon) scored five of its eight runs on home runs including two-run shots by
Nate Stocum and
Tom Brosnahan and a solo homer by
Pascanel Ferreras. In the eighth,
Jordan Starkes drew a one-out walk and stole second before a run-scoring double by
Bryson Parks. Ferreras drove in two on a double down the left-field line in the ninth that provided the final tally.
Ferreras finished 2-for-5 with two extra-base hits with a double and home run, driving in a team-best three RBI. Parks doubled in a 2-for-4 effort with
Will Prater singling twice in a 2-for-4 showing, also reaching on a walk.
The first of five arms used by WCU, sophomore
Gavin Mortenson (3-7) suffered the loss after being chased after recording just one out in the third inning. The Summerfield, N.C., product was tagged for seven runs on eight hits with a strikeout against two walks.
Jacob Corn struck out two for his two-thirds of an inning of work with
Carson Lowder pitching a team-long three and two-thirds innings with three strikeouts, allowing four runs – three of which were earned – on five hits.
VMI freshman starter Tyler Kaltreider (2-4) struck out a career-high 11 over 6.1 innings, scattering nine hits and five earned runs to score the victory on the mound. Alex LaRou and Tyler Bradt both tossed an inning and a third in relief, combining for four more strikeouts as Keydet pitching fanned 15 in the win.
Zac Morris and Justin Nase both had four hits apiece in 4-for-5 efforts on Saturday to lead six Keydets with multi-hit games. Barrett Cook homered in a two-hit outing while Ty Swaim drove in three in a 2-for-5 effort at the plate.
