Clinton, S.C. – Western Carolina's offense was stymied on Wednesday afternoon as the Catamounts were held to just three singles while stranding seven runners on base in the 3-0 nonconference loss to Presbyterian at the PC Baseball Complex.
Presbyterian (2-2) posted a trio of solo markers in the winning effort. The Blue Hose scored an unearned run on a single in the second inning, adding a Joel Dragoo solo home run in the third, and capitalized on a third WCU error of the game to scratch out a third insurance marker in the eighth inning to cap the game's scoring.
WCU's three hits were scattered between three players with
Pascanel Ferreras reaching base twice with a single in a 1-for-3 effort, adding a walk and a stolen base.
Cole Jones (1-for-3) and
Brandon Butterworth (1-for-4) also singled for WCU which drew four walks.
The Catamounts managed a runner to second base in the first inning but were unable to light the scoreboard. After the first inning, Presbyterian retired 10-straight Catamounts before Butterworth led off the fifth with a single through the left side. The Catamounts threatened with Butterworth to third and Jones drawing a walk and eventually advancing to second, but both were left on base.
WCU managed just four base runners over the final four innings with
Nate Stocum drawing a pinch-hit walk to start the ninth and moving to third but was there when the game ended.
Coby Ingle (0-1) took the loss for the Catamounts in his debut appearance after transferring to Cullowhee prior to last season. The Reidsville, N.C., product struck out two in three innings of work, surrendering two runs – only one of which was earned – on three hits.
Corey Bright struck out two in two innings of hitless, scoreless relief with freshman
Brandon Eldridge tallying his first collegiate strikeout in an inning of work in his debut.
Gavin Mortenson and
Nick Torres likewise recorded strikeouts in an inning of work apiece out of the bullpen.
Brody Fahr paced the Blue Hose offense with a 2-for-4 showing, collecting two of the three RBI with three other players recording hits including Dragoo's homer.
In his first collegiate start, Presbyterian freshman LHP Mason McDaniel (1-0) struck out a career-best eight over six scoreless innings, scattering a pair of singles and working around a pair of walks. Senior reliever Tanner Smith scored the save, striking out two in working around a lead-off walk in the ninth inning.
Western Carolina (2-3) returns home for a three-game home series against Xavier (0-5) beginning on Friday afternoon at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. Games one and three of the series are slated to be broadcast on ESPN+ (
paid subscription required) with live stats through CatamountSports.com available for each game.
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