Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina busted open a one-run game by scoring 10 runs between the fifth and eighth innings on Friday night as the Catamounts claimed their Southern Conference series opener over the visiting Mercer Bears 12-3 at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
 
Seniors Drew Needham and Kyle Harbison both homered as part of a decisive five-run fifth with junior Mason Holton delivering a final blow with a three-run homer in the eighth to cap a 17-hit effort for the Catamounts.
 
Six Catamounts posted multi-hit games in Friday's victory. Holton (3-for-4) reached base four times with three RBI, finishing a triple shy of the cycle with a single, double, and home run to accompany a second-inning walk. Kyle Riesselmann (3-for-5) doubled as a part of his three-hit performance and Nate Stocum (3-for-5) singled three times with both driving in one run.
 
Harbison (2-for-5) homered with three RBI as part of his two-hit effort, with Hayden Friese (2-for-3) adding a walk to a pair of singles and two runs driven in. Zach Ketterman (2-for-5) reached three times with a double, adding an HBP. Needham (1-for-4) homered as part of scoring twice.
 
The Catamount offense came alive to complement a strong two-pitcher performance as starter Gavin Mortenson and reliever Dusty Revis combined to limit the Bears to three runs on just eight combined hits with eight total strikeouts. Mortenson (3-5) scattered four hits over six innings with a walk and six strikeouts while limiting the Bears to just one run. Revis earned his first save as a Catamount, working around a pair of walks with two strikeouts in allowing two runs on four hits.
 
After a scoreless first inning, Western Carolina (24-23, 9-7 SoCon) took advantage of its opportunities in the second. With Needham aboard on a one-out error and Holton reaching on a subsequent walk, both runners advanced into scoring position on a balk. Friese then drove a two-run single through the left side to hand the home squad the early 2-0 lead.
 
Mercer (26-23, 5-10 SoCon) cut the deficit in half with a solo marker in the fourth inning, but Mortenson managed to strand two to preserve the lead.
 
The Catamounts stretched their advantage to three with a pair of solo markers in the fifth and sixth innings. Ketterman crossed home on the first of three Stocum singles in the fifth with Riesselmann doubling home Holton who led off with a single in the sixth.
 
Mercer cut the lead back to two at 4-2 in the home half of the seventh inning with a run scoring on a fielder's choice on an attempted double-play.
 
WCU pulled away in the bottom of the seventh inning as Needham blasted a full-count pitch over the batter's eye in center field to score both he and Stocum for a 6-2 lead. A Holton double and a walk by Friese put two aboard for Harbison who homered to left to give the Catamounts a 9-2 edge.
 
Ty Dalley gave the Bears life with a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning. But Holton got the run back with his three-run shot to left, providing the final tally.
 
Mercer starter Colton Cosper (4-3) took the loss, surrendering four runs – three earned – on seven hits over his six-inning effort. Four relievers combined for the final two frames, allowing a combined eight runs on 10 hits with two walks and one strikeout coming from Jeb Johnson to end the eighth.
 
Outfielder Jackson Cherry (2-for-4) and designated hitter Max Kops (2-for-4) combined for half of Mercer's eight hits, both collecting doubles. The remaining four hits for the visitors were spread between four players with Parker Lester doubling and Dalley homering.
 
Game two of the series is scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch on Saturday with coverage through ESPN+ (paid subscription required) and live stats available online at CatamountSports.com. Fans should anticipate heavy traffic on campus Saturday afternoon as the game coincides with WCU's commencement exercises at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Those attending the game are reminded to utilize the baseball parking deck, as well as the South Baseball Lot located beyond the outfield fence.
 
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