Cullowhee, N.C. – Capitalizing on an inning-extending eighth-inning fielding error, Wyatt Stanley delivered his third RBI of the day with a run-scoring single through the right side to plate Jackson Lyda as Western Carolina reclaimed an 8-7 lead in the home half of the frame.
 
Bryant Kimbrell then struck out two and stranded a pair of runners in scoring position in the ninth, inducing a game-ending groundout as the Catamounts claimed a gritty, one-run victory over Morehead State in Sunday's series finale at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. WCU took 3-of-4 from the Eagles in the nonconference series, the final weekend tune-up before Southern Conference play begins next week.
 
Stanley (3-for-5) singled three times in a three-hit, three RBI effort in the win, and Lyda scored three runs, including the game-winner. The sophomore reached three times, coming on an HBP, a seventh-inning single, and an intentional walk in the eighth.
 
Elijah Smith returned to the Catamount lineup in a big way, finishing 3-for-4 with WCU's lone extra-base hit in the win with a second-inning double. Mason Holton singled twice as part of a 2-for-4, two RBI effort, reaching base three times.
 
Cole Jones reached on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt in a pinch-hit role, scoring the game-tying run in the eighth inning on a second Eagle fielding error. Walker Fox plated a pair of runs with a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring single in a 1-for-4 performance.
 
Morehead State (10-11) finished with 12 hits spread between five players, paced by a 5-for-5 effort from Aubrey Kearns. He singled four times with a double, adding an RBI for the Eagles. Kyle Krupp (2-for-4), Caden Sheridan (2-for-4), and Ian McCubbin (2-for-3) both collected two hits apiece, McCubbin pushing Morehead State back in front with a solo home run to center in the top of the eighth inning and also plating a run on a triple.
 
An opportunistic Western Carolina side capitalized on an HBP and a walk in the first inning, with Stanley and Holton driving in the two runs before Fox capped the three-run rally as the Catamount jumped in front, 3-0. Jaylen Jones drew a second walk in the third inning with Fox collecting his second RBI on a sharp single to center as WCU led 4-0 through three complete.
 
Caden Sheridan put the Eagles on the board with a line-drive home run over the fence in left field to trim the deficit back to three through four innings, but ignited a streak of six-unanswered runs by the visitors.
 
Morehead State tacked on two in the fifth inning and three in the sixth to pull in front, 6-4, as McCubbin tripled home a run before Kyle Krupp singled and one of two WCU errors allowed the third run to score.
 
In the seventh inning, the Catamounts rallied to tie the game at six as Smith led off with his second single of the day ahead of Lyda, who also singled. Stanley and Holton delivered back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game after seven. However, in the top of the eighth, McCubbin hammered a two-out, solo home run over the fence in center to push Morehead State back in front, 7-6.
 
WCU got off to a strong start in the eighth with the second of two walks by Trent Turner and took advantage of an Eagle error on the Cole Jones sacrifice bunt attempt to put runners at the corners. However, a foul out down the right field line and the subsequent throw to the plate by Davis Germann cut down Turner, resulting in the double-play. With first base open, MSU intentionally walked Lyda to get to Jaylen Jones.
 
Jones then bounced one to the left side that deflected off the tip of Griffin Olson's glove into left field, allowing the game-tying run to score on the miscue. Stanley then delivered the eventual game-winner on a single through the right side for the 8-7 lead.
 
In the ninth, Kearns reached on a one-out single, his fifth hit of the day, to put the tying run aboard. Following a second strikeout, Sheridan singled to right to put two aboard as the Eagles threatened. However, Kimbrell got Griffin to bounce out to substitute first baseman Cole Jones to end the game.
 
Kimbrell (3-0) earned his second victory of the week, tossing the final three innings with five strikeouts. He allowed one run on three hits, the second arm out of the WCU bullpen. Evan Myers struck out four against four walks in four innings in the starting role, with Owen Austin fanning three over two innings of relief work.
 
Morehead State reliever Luke Hayes (1-1) was saddled with the loss, surrendering two unearned runs on one hit with three walks, one intentional, with a balk. Connor Davis settled down after giving up three runs in the first inning, tagged for six runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and three walks in the start. Devin Costa gave up a pair of hits in a third of an inning in relief.
 
Western Carolina (14-7) continues its eight-game home stand on Tuesday, March 17, with a 3 p.m. first-pitch against Gardner-Webb in Cullowhee, before welcoming the Samford Bulldogs to Childress Field / Hennon Stadium next weekend, March 20-22.
 
The start time on Tuesday has been moved up to 3 p.m. with unfavorable forecasted temperatures. Plans are for the game to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live stats available online at CatamountSports.com.
 
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