Charlotte, N.C. – Dominic Robinson belted an eighth-inning solo home run and Brody Raleigh smacked a three-run dinger in the ninth for their first career round-trippers as Western Carolina mounted a late challenge, scoring four runs over the final two innings in Sunday's finale at Hayes Stadium. But the seven-run deficit through seven complete was too much to overcome as the homestanding Charlotte 49ers dealt the Catamounts a 7-4 loss in nonconference action.
 
WCU (10-6) collected six of its eight hits over the final two frames, with the eight knocks spread between eight different players. Raleigh (1-for-2) and Robinson (1-for-3) both homered, and Jaylen Jones (1-for-4) legged out a double to account for the bulk of WCU's offense.
 
Noah Quarless tallied the team's first hit in the second inning, and Wyatt Stanley led off the seventh with a single. Robinson's solo homer came with two outs in the eighth, before Jackson Lyda laid down a bunt single for a two-hit frame. Lyda was the only Catamount to reach base more than once, adding the team's lone drawn walk.
 
In the ninth, Carlos Diaz lifted a two-out single to center ahead of Marshall McGowan, who reached on an infield single for his first collegiate base hit. Raleigh then blasted a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence for the three-run homer that provided the final tally. Jaylen Jones doubled to extend the threat after Raleigh circled the base paths before a strikeout ended the game.
 
Charlotte (11-4) had three players post multi-hit games, with Todd Hudson finishing a game-best 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Dawson Bryce (2-for-5) doubled twice with a pair of RBI and two runs scored, while Adrian Jimenez (2-for-4) homered with two total RBI. Alex DeMartino (1-for-4) legged out a double.
 
The 49ers broke Sunday's scoreless tie with a three-spot in the third inning, using a two-run double before the third run crossed on a balk. Jimenez hit a two-run home run in the fourth to extend the lead to 5-0 before Charlotte tacked on solo markers in the sixth and seventh innings.
 
Robinson's homer in the eighth snapped a 16-inning scoreless drought for the Catamounts following Saturday afternoon's 10-0, run-rule victory over Radford. Raleigh drew the game closer with his three-run blast in the ninth inning.
 
Catamount freshman starter Evan Myers (2-1) suffered his first loss, surrendering five runs on five hits with a strikeout against three walks, a hit batter, and a balk. Bryant Kimbrell struck out one in two innings of one-hit, scoreless relief, with Scott Templeton fanning two in an inning of work. Relievers Davis Budd and Griffin Guinther both recorded strikeouts in an inning on the mound.
 
Charlotte reliever Chase Carson (2-0) struck out 10 over his five-inning appearance, summoned from the bullpen after starter Wesley Jones exited after the first inning. Sebastian Perez gave up a run on two hits in two innings, with AJ Camp touched for three runs on three hits in two-thirds of a frame. Ryan Combs closed the game with a strikeout against a hit allowed.
 
Western Carolina travels to rival Appalachian State (10-5), winners of three-straight, on Tuesday, March 10, in midweek nonconference action before opening an eight-game home stand that includes the first Southern Conference series of the year. First pitch in Boone at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m. WCU then opens a four-game series against Morehead State in Cullowhee on Thursday, March 12, at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium in Cullowhee.
 
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