Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina baseball never got going in Friday's Southern Conference opener against preseason favorite Samford, as the Bulldogs handed the Catamounts an 11-0 loss in seven innings at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.
 
The Catamounts were outhit 12-to-1 and managed just four total base runners, coming on a Jackson Lyda single, walks by Jaylen Jones and Wyatt Stanley, and a late-game error that allowed Lyda to reach. The Bulldogs lit the scoreboard for four multi-run innings, including a five-run third as Samford halted WCU's four-game win streak.
 
The series continues Saturday with a 2 p.m. first pitch. Saturday is billed as "Little League and Scout Day" at the ballpark, presented by Todd Baucom Realty. Little leaguers will receive free admission by wearing their team jersey to the game, with pregame festivities to include inflatable games and food trucks inside the stadium down the right-field line, all presented by Todd Baucom Realty.
 
Saturday's game will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network, with live streaming audio, as well as live stats, available online at CatamountSports.com.
 
Lyda (1-for-3) went backside against the defensive shift for a fourth-inning, lead-off single for WCU's first – and only – base hit, but was stranded at second base. Lyda also reached base on a tough error at second as Samford's Jeffrey Ince bobbled the routine ground ball on the outfield grass in shallow right field in the shift.
 
Jones and Stanley drew walks in the first and fourth innings, respectively, to account for the lone offense for the Catamounts (15-8, 0-1 SoCon).
 
WCU's defense accounted for three double plays, two on the infield going Lyda to Trent Turner to Marshall McGowan at first, with the second looping in Mason Holton to McGowan and back to Lyda at third base. Right-fielder Elijah Smith also cut a runner down at home plate after a fly-ball out with catcher Noah Quarless applying the tag.
 
Trey Higgins (3-for-4) hit two home runs – a two-run shot in the second inning and a three-run blast in the third – and also legged out a double to lead Samford (9-11, 1-0 SoCon), plating five runs offensively. Gus Gandy singled three times in a 3-for-4 effort with a run driven in. Jake Souders (1-for-2) plated three with a single, a sacrifice fly, and a bases-loaded HBP.
 
Samford's 12 hits were spread between seven batters, with five going for extra bases, including three doubles and the two Higgins' homers.
 
Bulldog starter Joseph Lee (1-0) earned his first decision of the season, striking out seven while working around a pair of walks with just the one hit surrendered to score the complete-game, seven-inning victory.
 
Catamount starter Carter Burnette (2-3) was saddled with the loss, surrendering nine runs – seven earned – on nine hits over four innings in the start with a strikeout. Jacob Arnberger was touched for two runs on three hits with a walk, two HBPs, and a strikeout, while Griffin Guinther tossed a pair of hitless, scoreless relief innings with a walk and a strikeout.
 
WCU and Samford continue the series on Saturday at 2 p.m.