Cullowhee, N.C. – Trent Turner belted a second-inning two-run home run, and Noah Quarless smashed a two-run blast in the fifth as Western Carolina earned its 10th home victory of the season on Wednesday, downing regional-rival Gardner-Webb 8-4 in nonconference action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
 
WCU executed a double-steal in the home half of the fourth inning to break a 2-2 tie with the eventual game-winning run as Elijah Smith swiped second, drawing a throw that allowed the Forest City, N.C., native Marshall McGowan to sneak home to put the Catamounts ahead for good, 3-2.
 
Western Carolina (15-7) concludes its season-long eight-game homestand this weekend when the Catamounts open Southern Conference play, hosting league preseason favorite Samford (8-11) in Cullowhee. Gardner-Webb (12-9) jumps back into Big South Conference play, visiting Charleston Southern for a three-game set in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
 
Jaylen Jones (2-for-4) doubled and laid down a sacrifice bunt as part of his two-hit effort, with Walker Fox (2-for-5) singling twice with an RBI and a run scored. Quarless (1-for-4) reached base twice with his fourth-inning, two-run homer and an HBP. But he nearly had a two-homer day as GWU centerfielder Merik Carter pulled one of his big flies back from over the top of the fence in centerfield.
 
Wyatt Stanley and Mason Holton both reached base three times in 1-for-3 efforts, drawing a pair of walks to accompany a single. McGowan reached twice with a single and a free pass, while Jackson Lyda walked twice in the winning effort.
 
For Gardner-Webb, Drew Ripepi finished 3-for-3, reaching four times with a pair of singles, a home run, and a walk. Daniel Smith (2-for-4) hit a two-run homer, and Matt Ilgenfritz (1-for-4) doubled for the third extra-base hit for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the loss.
 
Ripepi singled home Ryan Kennell in the top of the first inning for the early lead for Gadner-Webb before Haywood County went to work for the Catamounts. With Canton product Walker Fox aboard, Waynesville native Trent Turner turned on one for a two-run blast to left center to push WCU in front 2-1 through two complete.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs knotted the game in the top of the fourth on a one-out solo home run by Ripepi as the two teams stood even at two apiece.
 
WCU, though, mustered a two-out rally in the home half of the fourth inning to push in front for what proved to be for good. McGowan singled up the middle to extend the inning before going corner-to-corner on a sharp single through the right side by Elijah Smith. The speedy Smith then promptly stole second base, drawing a throw to the shortstop in anticipation of the double-steal attempt. However, McGowan's lead and break for home was enough as he eluded the tag on the return throw home for the go-ahead marker.
 
WCU extended the lead in the fifth with Stanley scoring on a wild pitch just seconds before Quarless deposited a 1-1 pitch over the fence in left to push the Catamounts ahead, 6-2.
 
Gardner-Webb cut the deficit in half in the top of the seventh as Smith hit a two-run homer to make it 6-4. However, WCU had the answer, getting a run back in the home half with a bases-loaded, run-scoring walk by McGowan to score Stanley, with Fox driving in Lyda in the eighth to provide the final tally.
 
Catamount starter James Fordham (2-1) was credited with the victory, lifted at the top of the GWU order after tossing 4.2 innings. He countered a pair of walks with three of WCU's seven strikeouts as a staff. Scott Templeton struck out two in 1.2 relief innings, with a couple of runs allowed on a hit, with Griffin Guinther and Mason Snyder both fanning one. Kaden Fuller tossed a perfect ninth, facing just three hitters.
 
Josh Gentile (0-1) was tagged with the loss in relief for Gardner-Webb, giving up one run on just two hits in an inning after starter Anthony Hausner exited after three innings with two runs allowed on three hits with a pair of walks. The Runnin' Bulldogs used eight different pitchers, with six combining for six strikeouts.
 
Western Carolina wraps up the stretch of eight-straight at home this weekend as WCU opens Southern Conference play, welcoming the preseason favorite Samford Bulldogs to Cullowhee for a three-game series. The trio of games opens on Friday at 5 p.m., with a special replica jersey giveaway for WCU students, courtesy of The Everson. Saturday is billed as "Little League and Scout Day" at the ballpark, presented by Todd Baucom Realty, with first pitch at 2 p.m., before concluding Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Friday and Sunday are scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required), with audio available on the Catamount Sports Network for Saturday's game.
 
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