Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina outscored Samford, 42-to-11, in sweeping both ends of Saturday afternoon's Southern Conference double-header to take the best-of-three series. The Catamounts won game one, 26-5, before taking the series with a 16-6 win in game two at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

In game one, Matt Johns' first career grand slam home run capped a five-run bottom of the first inning as Western pushed across runs in all but one frame it took swings in a 26-5 drubbing of the Bulldogs. A combined 16 different Catamounts recorded at bats in the game, with seven posting multi-hit games.

Leading 7-2 after two and a half innings, Western Carolina (22-15, 11-6 SoCon) broke open the otherwise close game with a seven-run third inning - all coming with two out in the frame. Two runs scored on consecutive RBI singles, with Johns driving in his fifth run of the game on a walk. Mitchell Hatley cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple to right field to cap the scoring.

WCU would add single runs in the fourth and sixth with a two-spot in the seventh before blowing it wide open with an eight-run eighth inning. Radley Haddad posted two hits in the inning including a single and his first career triple, which drove in three runs. A second pinch hitter, red-shirt freshman Justin Crawley, also recorded his first career base hit and subsequent RBI in the frame.

Corey Martin (6-3) surrendered all five runs - only four of which were earned - on seven base hits to secure his team-leading sixth victory of the season. The Yadkinville, N.C., native worked around three walks with six strikeouts through seven innings. Jason Sullivan tossed the final two frames of scoreless, two-hit relief with a pair of strikeouts.

Samford starter David Knapp (3-3) suffered the loss after allowing 14 runs - only one of which was earned - on 11 hits with five walks and two strikeouts through two and two-thirds innings pitched. He was chased following Hatley's three-RBI triple. Reliever Tyler Vanderheiden limited the Catamounts to two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts against three walks in three and a third. However, Clint Jones was touched-up for eight earned runs on eight hits with Bronson McGriff allowing two runs on two hits, both on one inning of work.

In the night cap, Western Carolina erased an early 1-0 Bulldog lead with a four-run home half of the second, and later pulled away after a seven-run fifth inning in the 16-6 victory.

Nick Liles opened the fifth inning with a single and was driven in on Ross Heffley's first career triple - the third, three-bagger of the day for the Catamounts. J.C. Lyons belted a two-run home run, with Liles batting again with a two-RBI double to end the scoring.

Mike Tavernier (3-3) returned to the win column by scattering eight base hits and six runs - only three of which were earned - in seven innings to secure the win. Tavernier pitched around a single walk with a season-high tying eight strikeouts. Brandon Johnson and Daniel Ottone combined to toss the final two innings of perfect relief, each fanning one Bulldog batter for a combined 10 strikeouts from the Catamount battery collectively.

Bulldog starter Andrew Jones was roughed up for 11 runs on 13 hits, including nine earned, in four and a third inning. The trio of relievers Samford used held WCU to five runs on three hits with three strikeouts over the final three and two-thirds.

Brent Greer led the Catamounts offensively on the day finishing 8-for-11 with a pair of doubles and his sixth home run of the season. The Manassas, Va., native also drove in a team-high tying six runs, sharing the honors with classmate Nick Liles who was 5-for-10 with a pair of doubles and six RBI. Hatley finished 4-for-7 with a triple and was hit by a pitch four times to match Greer's on-base percentage of .727.

In addition to Greer's home run, Johns' grand slam in the first inning of game one and Lyons' two-run shot in the fifth inning of game two gave Western seven home runs for the series and three between the two games Saturday.

Western Carolina travels to Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday to face nationally-ranked Georgia Tech before entertaining the Yellow Jackets the following night (Wednesday) for the first-time ever in Cullowhee. Both games are scheduled to start at 6:00 pm. Tuesday's game will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network with an air time of 5:45 pm on WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5 in Cullowhee or online at www.WWCUFM.com.

Samford visits instate rival Auburn Tuesday night at 6 p.m. CT.

No. 27 Georgia Southern 20, Davidson 8

STATESBORO, Ga. - Eight different Georgia Southern hitters recorded a multi-hit game in support of Jake Brown's (Forest Hill, Md./Pitt CC) start as the Eagles handed Davidson a 20-8 Southern Conference defeat on Saturday afternoon (April 18) at J.I. Clements Stadium. The 27th-ranked Eagles improved to 27-9 overall and 11-4 in the SoCon.

The Eagles wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the first. Ty Wright (Montrose/ABAC) and Kevin Bowles (Statesboro/Statesboro) singled then Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius) walked to load the bases. Eric Phillips (Carrollton/Carrollton) singled home a run. Another scored on a wild pitch by Chris Lamb. Brian Pierce (Roswell/Roswell) just missed on a grand slam, hitting a 3-run double off the right field fence. Jonathan King (Athens, TN/Young Harris) lined a RBI double then Wright followed with a RBI single and 7-0 lead.

Will Southwell (Moultrie/Colquitt County) delivered a RBI single in the second. The Eagles scored three runs each in the fifth through eighth inning to put the game away. During its final four at-bats, GS sent at least seven batters to the plate.

Wright lined a 2-run single in the fifth then three batters later Phillips hit a RBI double. King ripped a 2-run double in the sixth then Wright brought home another run on a groundout.

In the seventh Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) hit his team-leading seventh home run to start the frame. Later pinch-hitter Vince Smith (Kingsland/Camden County) lined a 2-run single. In the eighth, Kyle Blackburn (Marietta/Walton) hit a 2-run homer, his first round-tripper since the season-opener. Smith ripped a RBI double to match his season-high of three RBI.

Brown (3-3) gave up just one run on six hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out a season-high nine. The nine Ks are also a team season-high, a total matched by teammate Chris Mederos in the series-opener.

Davidson (13-19, 8-9) scored seven times in the eighth inning, but like he did Friday night Charles Matthews (Athens/Spartanburg Methodist) finished off the Wildcats going the final 1.2 innings to close out the win.

"Jake did a great job today, he was effective throwing strikes and we were able to get on Davidson early," said Pierce. "We were able again to have success at the bottom of the order, which has to be demoralizing for a pitcher, then have someone like Ty who is swinging the bat well coming up at the top of the line-up."

Piece matched a season-high of three hits, and matched career-highs of three runs scored and two doubles. For the third time this season the senior shortstop drove in three runs.

Wright kept his hot bat going, 3-for-5 at the plate while matching a season-high of four RBI. Benedict extended his hitting streak to 15 games. King set a career-high with three RBI and matched his high of three hits. Bowles, Phillips, Smith, Southwell and Roman Grimaldi (Duluth/North Florida CC) had two hits apiece.

For the fourth time this year GS recorded 20 hits, and for the sixth time scored 20 or more runs.

Lamb (1-3) did not make it out of the first inning, charged for seven runs on six hits in two-thirds of an inning. Drew Gadaire hit a 3-run homer as part of the seven-run eighth inning. Five Wildcats had two hits apiece.

Georgia Southern goes for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon, first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Wofford 7, Furman 6

SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Wofford College baseball team used a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh by Michael Gilmartin to defeated Furman 7-6 on Saturday afternoon at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers had a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Furman tied the game in the top of the seventh before Gilmartin’s hit put Wofford in front.

Wofford is 16-17 on the season and 7-9 in the Southern Conference. Furman is 15-20 overall and 5-12 in the conference. The Terriers were led by Michael Gilmartin with two hits, two RBIs and the save. James Foster and Jake Williams each had two hits as well. Furman was led by Marcus Rose with three hits and Brian Harrison with two home runs and four RBIs.

The Terriers opened the game with a single from James Foster and he stole second. After advancing to third on a ground out, Foster scored on a wild pitch. A single by Josh McKinney added another run, while a double to left center from Mac Doyle added a third run. A double by Mike McDonnell scored Doyle and Wofford had a 4-0 lead after the first.

Wofford added a run in the bottom of the second as James Foster tripled and was driven in on a sacrifice fly by Michael Gilmartin. In the top of the third, a Wofford error allowed Furman to score a run to make it a 5-1 game.

In the bottom of the third, a single from Jake Williams scored Josh McKinney who had reached on a hit by pitch. Neither team scored in the fourth and it remained a 6-1 Wofford lead.

Furman came back in the fifth as a sacrifice fly from Justin Holloway scored one run. With two on base, Brian Harrison hit a ball over the wall in left field to make it a 6-4 game.

After a scoreless sixth, Furman opened the seventh with a double by Marcus Rose. A second home run of the game by Brian Harrison tied it at 6-6. The tie did not last long as Michael Gilmartin led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run over the 375 sign in right field to give Wofford a 7-6 lead.

Furman and Wofford both left two runners on base in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, the Paladins had one runner reach base on a walk, however he was stranded and the Terriers had the 7-6 win.

 Wofford starter Bobby DeLuria went the first 4.2 innings with three hits and three runs allowed with three strikeouts. Bobby Streisel allowed one run on one hit, while J.D. Osborne went a third of an inning. Anthony Rowland (1-1) went two innings with three hits and two runs allowed. Michael Gilmartin threw the final two innings, allowing only one hit and striking out one for his seventh save of the season.

For the Paladins, starter Kevin Gaid threw the first inning and allowed four runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Jay Friedman (1-3) went the next 6.2 innings and allowed six hits and three runs with three strikeouts. Stephen Gary threw the final third of an inning without a hit allowed.

Wofford and Furman will complete the three-game conference series on Sunday at noon at Russell C. King Field. The noon start will be made to avoid predicted afternoon rain. With a 2-0 lead in the series, the Terriers will win the season match-up against Furman for just the third time since joining the Southern Conference (2004 and 2007).

UNC Greensboro 8, The Citadel 3

GREENSBORO, NC ? UNC Greensboro scored at least one run in the final four innings as the Spartans defeated The Citadel, 8-3, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the UNCG Baseball Park. Sunday’s game that was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. has been moved up an hour to 12 p.m. due to the threat of rain in Greensboro on Sunday.

UNCG reliever Rob Gilliam picked up his third win of the season for the Spartans (13-19, 3-12 SoCon) after giving up just two hits and one unearned run in 3 1/3 innings of relief. Senior Pedro Leon went 3-4 with three RBI and a run scored to lead the Spartans at the plate.

The Citadel starter Asher Wojciechowski was credited with just hit second loss of the season after giving up six runs (three earned) in 6 1/3 innings for the Bulldogs (22-15, 10-7 SoCon).

After neither team was able to produce a run in the first four innings, the Spartans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Raymond Frias led off with a walk before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kris Richards. After a Spartan strike out, Corey Overholtzer hit a double down the left field line to score Frias and put UNCG on the board. Leon followed with a single through the left side that narrowly missed Overholtzer to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.

The Bulldogs answered with two runs of their own in the top half of the sixth inning to tie the game at 2. Nick Orvin had a leadoff single before Richard Jones hit a towering shot over the right field wall to make the score 2-2.

UNCG responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the sixth after Michael Wall led off the inning with a bunt for a single. Wall scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Richards to give the Spartans a 3-2 lead.

The Citadel was able to tie the game again in the top of the seventh on an unearned run. With one down in the inning, Sid Fallaw hit a single up the middle and Kyle Jordan followed with a double to left field. Fallaw would then score on a passed ball before Gilliam was able to retire the final two batters in the inning to end the threat.

The Spartans took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh thanks to some sloppy defense by the Bulldogs. Overholtzer led off with a single and advanced to third after a throwing error by the first baseman allowed Leon to reach second on a sacrifice bunt. Trevor Edwards’ ground out to second base allowed Overholtzer to score to put the Spartans ahead 4-3. Ray Quinones followed with a double to left center to score Leon from third. Quinones would score later in the inning when it appeared Drew Gehringer had been picked off first for the final out of the inning. As Gehringer was in a run down, Quinones broke home and was able to slide behind the tag to give UNCG a 6-3 lead.

UNCG would add two more in the eighth inning when Leon hit a two RBI double to center field to score Overholtzer and Richards.

The Spartans and the Bulldogs will meet on Sunday for the final game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.

Appalachian State 7, College of Charleston 3

Mt. Pleasant, S.C. -- Isaac Harrow's run-scoring double in the seventh inning broke a 3-3 tie and lifted Appalachian State to a 7-3 Southern Conference win over College of Charleston in college baseball action before 537 at Patriots Point Stadium on Saturday.

With the win, the Mountaineers improved to 20-17 and 9-12. The Cougars fell to 23-14 and 11-9. The series finale is Sunday at 1 p.m.

Harrow's game-winner capped ASU's two-out, seventh inning rally. Trailing 3-2 with two outs and the bases empty, Rand Smith singled to center and scored on Wes Hobson's double to right to tie the game at 3-3. Harrow followed with a double to center that scored Hobson for a 4-3 lead.

Cole Rakar's (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) two-run single in the second staked Charleston to a 2-0 lead. The Moutaineers got a sacrifice fly from Chris Alessandria and an RBI single from Nick DeRose to tie the game at 2-2 in the sixth inning.

Charleston briefly recaptured the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Joash Brodin (Olympia, Wash.) reached on a fielder's choice with one out, stole second, and moved to third on an infield hit from Rakar. Brodin scored on a two-out wild pitch for a 3-2 Charleston advantage.

Hobson and Harrow had two-out run-scoring triples in the ninth that gave ASU a 6-3 lead. Harrow scored on a wild pitch for the final margin.

Chris Patterson (4-1) picked up the win in relief allowing no runs on two hits over 1 2/3 innings of work. Zach Quate worked the final two frames for his eighth save of the season. Corey Ashner (Kansas City, Kan.) suffered the loss in relief and fell to 1-2.

Rakar and Clay McCord (Atlanta, Ga.) led the Cougars with two hits each. Harrow had three hits and Hobson added two to pace the Moutaineers.

Elon 10, North Carolina Central 5

ELON, N.C. -- Pat Irvine and Justin Hilt each drove in three runs and Daniel Britt allowed two earned runs in 6.0 innings to lead the Elon Phoenix to a 10-5 non-conference baseball victory over the North Carolina Central Eagles from Latham Park on Saturday night, completing the two-game series sweep.  Elon now sits at 23-12 on the year while Central now owns a 5-24 record.

The Eagles got their first two runners aboard to start the game as Akeem Hood reached on an error and Oliver Jenkins followed with a bunt single.  After David Scott bounced into a 4-3 double play Blake Murray bounced out to third, ending any chance Central had to score in the first inning.

After Zeth Stone and Cory Harrilchak drew back-to-back walks, Chase Austin singled to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first.  Irvine drove home both Stone and Harrilchak with a double to center to give the Phoenix an early  2-0 lead.  Austin was erased at home on a fielder's choice that allowed Bennett Davis to reach.  After Davis swiped second, Hilt crushed a three-run shot to left ? the 11th homer of the year for the junior.

Elon plated three runs in the third thanks to four Eagle errors.  Chase Austin lined a single to left to start the inning.  After Austin stole second, Irvine walked.  Chase Austin then swiped third before Davis lifted a sac fly to right, scoring Chase Austin.  On the play, Irvine tagged and raced to second, but the throw from the Eagle catcher sailed into center field.  As Irvine headed to third, the throw in from the center fielder missed the mark at third and Irvine scored to give Elon a 7-0 lead.  A throwing error let Hilt reach first and go to second before Ryan Adams reached on a wild pitch on strike three that was thrown wild to first.  With Hilt on third and Adams on first Neal Pritchard lifted a sac fly to center to score another Phoenix run.

An Elon error allowed Jenkins to reach to begin the Central fourth.  Jenkins headed to third on a Scott single up the middle.  Murray followed by grounding into a double play which scored Jenkins with the first run of the two-game series for the Eagles.

Central started the fifth inning with back-to-back singles from Anthony Wilson and Kurt Wilson.  Both runners moved up 90 feet on a ground out before Robert Landis grounded out to third to plate Anthony Wilson.  Hood bounced a ball between first and second for an infield single that brought home Kurt Wilson and the Eagles closed its deficit to 8-3.

Stone led off the Elon sixth with a triple to the gap in right before a Harry Austin single plated the freshman.  After a stolen base, Chase Austin singled to center to put runners on the corners.  Another steal moved Chase Austin to second before Brandon Oatis struck out Irvine, Scott Riddle and Hilt to end the inning.  

Elon tacked on another in the eighth when Irvine's single through the right side plated Harry Austin from third.

After Anthony Wilson was hit by a 3-2 pitch, Kurt Wilson sent a 3-2 pitch off the scoreboard in left-center for his first home run of the season.

Britt earned the win, improving to 4-0 on the year, after he gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits in his six-inning outing.  Britt walked one and struck out four.

For Central, Douglas Dalley took the loss, dropping to 0-6.  He was charged with eight runs (six earned) on five hits and six walks in 4.1 innings.

Irvine finished the night 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.  At one point, Irvine had recorded a base hit in seven consecutive at bats dating back to Wednesday's win over Old Dominion.  Hilt drove in three and scored two in his 1-for-4 outing. Chase Austin finished 3-for-5 with a run scored while Harrilchak moved his streak of safely reaching base to 68 games.

Jenkins, Scott and Kurt Wilson all had two-hit nights for the Eagles.  Kurt Wilson also had two of the team's four RBI.

Elon will look to avenge a loss to UNC Wilmington when the Seahawks visit the Phoenix for a 2 p.m. start on Sunday afternoon.