Charleston, S.C. – Western Carolina scored runs in the first and ninth innings in bookending Saturday's game two, but the College of Charleston plated runs in five of the eight innings it took swings including three multi-run innings to win 9-2, claiming the best-of-three nonconference series at Patriot's Point.
WCU (15-22) capitalized on an error in the first inning with
Pascanel Ferreras reaching before being doubled home by
Zach Ketterman as the Catamounts plated their first run of the series for the early one-run lead. However, Charleston (24-14) scored the next nine runs of the game, taking the lead for good with a two-run double by Tyler Sorrentino in the home half of the second inning.
After being held scoreless on just one hit in Friday's opener, the Catamounts had three players post multiple-hit games with Ketterman doubling in a 2-for-4 effort.
Jordan Starkes finished 2-for-5 with
Brandon Butterworth (2-for-4) also collecting a pair of singles.
Jack Spyke also reached twice with a 1-for-3 effort adding an HBP with Ferreras doubling and scoring in a 1-for-4 effort.
In the ninth inning,
Hayden Friese delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to plate Butterworth for WCU's second run of the day and provide the final tally.
WCU starter
Kyle Riesselmann (1-2) was saddled with the loss, surrendering six runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts. Four relievers closed the game for WCU, each posting a strikeout.
Carson Lowder struck out one in two-thirds of an inning, with
Ryan White also collecting a strikeout in an inning of two-run, two-hit relief.
Adam Quincy used two strikeouts in retiring four Cougars with
Landon Henley tossing the final two-thirds of hitless, scoreless relief with a punchout.
Cougar starter Trey Pooser (5-1) scored the victory on the mound, scattering eight hits and allowing an unearned run over six and a third innings with six strikeouts. Relievers Aidan Hunter and Connor Campbell combined for the final 2.2 innings of one-run, two-hit relief.
Infielder Luke Wood paced the Cougars with three of the squad's 12 hits, finishing 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI. JT Marr drove home three in a 2-for-4 outing with a sacrifice fly while Sorrentino finished 2-for-4 with a double and two runs driven in.
The nonconference series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. at Patriot's Point. Coverage is available online through FloBaseball (
paid subscription required) with live stats through a link on CatamountSports.com. Having missed the last month of the season since his last start -- March 21 at nationally-ranked Tennessee -- junior transfer RHP
Dante Visconti is expected to get the ball to start Sunday's finale.
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