Greenville, S.C. – Kyle Riesselmann and James Hinson delivered consecutive run-scoring base knocks in the top of the second inning to stake Western Carolina to a 2-1 lead over Virginia Commonwealth through two complete. However, VCU erased the one-run Catamount advantage with a four-spot in the home half of the fifth inning and the Rams held off a late surge to pick up the 5-2 victory in Thursday's rescheduled matchup in tournament play at Fluor Field.

After a first-inning solo home run gave VCU the early lead, Riesselmann singled home Cole Jones who drew a one-out walk before Hinson laced an RBI double to left-center with the ball lodging at the base of the fence allowing Riesselmann to score from first base. WCU's 2-1 lead would hold until the home portion of the fifth – the only other frame to see runners cross the plate.
 
An infield single and a one-out walk put two aboard for the Rams before Brandon Eike doubled to left field to drive in one and put two in scoring position. An HBP loaded the bases for VCU before Eli Weisner plated two on a single through the right side with a safety squeeze sacrifice bunt pushing home an insurance marker to cap the four-run flurry.
 
WCU was retired in order in between the sixth and eighth innings including four by strikeout. Then in the top of the ninth, the Catamounts found life as pinch-hitter Hayden Friese was hit by a pitch and two batters later, pinch-hitter Drew Needham drew a five-pitch walk to bring the game-tying run to the plate. However, a strikeout and a solid defensive play on a line drive up the middle off the bat of Hinson ended the game.
 
Hinson (2-for-5) and Nate Stocum (2-for-4) both doubled as a part of WCU's lone multi-hit performances in Thursday's defeat. Jack Spyke (1-for-3) reached base twice with a single and a walk, while Trent Turner (1-for-4) collected his team-leading 21st hit with a double in a 1-for-4 effort with left-side infield mate Zach Ketterman (1-for-4) also singling.
 
VCU (10-4) was limited to just four base hits scattered between four different players with Eike collecting one of just two extra-base knocks with his fourth-inning double. Casey Kleinman opened the scoring with a first-inning, lead-off home run, adding a pair of walks to reach base three times to lead the Rams.
 
Catamount starter Gavin Mortenson (0-1) was saddled with the loss, surrendering the five runs on just four hits in a season-long 4.1 innings with four strikeouts against two walks. Griffin Guinther struck out one in two-thirds of an inning with Jackson Reid and Jonathan Todd combining for the final three innings, both fanning two. Reid tossed 2.1 innings out of the bullpen, working around a pair of walks among the nine batters he faced.
 
VCU reliever Brian Curley (2-0) tossed 4.2 solid scoreless innings, limiting the Catamounts to three base hits while striking out nine to earn the victory as the second arm used by head coach Bradley LeCroy – a former WCU assistant coach. Nick Cosentino was credited with his second save of the year, working around a walk and an HBP with a strikeout in tossing two scoreless innings to preserve the win – VCU's second on the day after tallying an extra-inning win over Western Michigan.
 
With the amended schedule in Greenville this week, the Catamounts (4-9) do not return to action until Saturday evening against the event-host Michigan State with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at Fluor Field. WCU's trio of games in the altered schedule concludes Sunday with a 10 a.m. start against Western Michigan.
 
Tickets for each game hosted by the Drive at Fluor Field are available online at https://www.milb.com/greenville/tickets/collegehstickets.
 
Keep track of everything related to WCU Athletics and Catamount baseball including any game day schedule changes through our social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/CatamountSports), Twitter (@Catamounts, @CatamountBSB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountbsb). 

First Pitch Invitational – Amended Schedule
Fluor Field – Greenville, S.C.
 
Thursday, March 7:
2:00 pm – VCU 9, Western Michigan 7 (11)
6:00 pm – Western Carolina 2, VCU 5
 
Friday, March 8:
4:00 pm (weather dependent) – Western Michigan vs. Michigan State (Home Team)
 
Saturday, March 9:
7:00 pm (weather dependent) – Western Carolina vs. Michigan State (Home Team)
 
Sunday, March 10:
10:00 am – Western Michigan vs. Western Carolina (Home Team)
2:00 pm – VCU vs. Michigan State (Home Team)