Cullowhee, N.C. – Dylan Wheeler struck out four over a solid six-inning start as the Catamounts recorded 11 strikeouts on the mound while scoring early and often in completing the three-game nonconference sweep over Radford with a 9-0 victory Sunday at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
 
WCU scored eight runs over the first four frames while limiting the Highlanders to just three base hits in earning the win. For the Catamounts, the series sweep is the second consecutive at home. Sunday's shutout victory was WCU's first of the year - and the first for the Catamounts since a 15-0 shutout victory over Niagara on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022.
 
Jordan Starkes (3-for-5) led the Catamounts with a three-hit performance with a run-scoring double with Brandon Butterworth collecting his first collegiate home run in the seventh inning in a two-hit, three RBI performance. Jack Spyke drove in two with a run-scoring single with Zach Ketterman and Nate Stocum also tallying RBI in the winning effort.
 
With the bases loaded in the home half of the first, Butterworth delivered a two-RBI single through the left side to put the Catamounts up for what proved to be for good after one inning. WCU tacked on a three-spot in the bottom of the second with run-scoring doubles by Starkes and Stocum with Kyle Harbison walking and scoring on a wild pitch.
 
In the fourth, Spyke delivered a two-RBI single to score Harbison and Pascanel Ferreras with Ketterman capping the three-run frame with an RBI single. Butterworth provided the final tally with his solo home run to left in the seventh inning.
 
Wheeler (2-0) scattered three hits over his six innings of work, working around three walks with four strikeouts in posting the victory. Jonathan Todd struck out five of the six batters he faced in two innings of hitless, scoreless relief with Corey Bright fanning two in the ninth inning.
 
Radford starter Zack Mallia (0-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks over two innings. The Highlanders used four total arms including three out of the bullpen, each throwing a pair of innings apiece.
 
The three singles for the Highlanders were scattered between three players with Peyton Henry, Austin Stalker, and Paul Moore each reaching on base hits. Julian Rojas walked three times in pacing Radford.
 
Western Carolina (9-11) returns to action on Tuesday in midweek nonconference play as the Catamounts visit nationally-ranked Tennessee at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network Plus (paid subscription required) with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com. WCU opens Southern Conference play next weekend (March 24-26) on the road at UNCG.
 
Keep track of everything related to Catamount baseball and WCU Athletics through social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountBSB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountbsb).