Western Carolina 8, Davidson 6
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina scored seven unanswered runs in the final two innings to rally from a five-run deficit and pull within one win of clinching the program’s 13th regular-season Southern Conference title, claiming an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Davidson Wildcats on Thursday night at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.
With the win, the Catamounts improved to 35-16 overall, 18-6 in conference play to move back atop the SoCon standings by percentage points over Davidson (28-15, 17-6 SoCon). WCU enters Friday's doubleheader needing just one more victory to claim the regular-season championship for a second-consecutive season. The Wildcats need to sweep the regular-season-ending twinbill to earn their first crown since 1985.
Senior Adam Martin and junior Jacob Hoyle went a combined 3-for-8 with six RBIs and two runs scored to provide the late-inning spark the Catamounts needed in the comeback win. Martin blasted his 13th home run of the season on a grand slam over the fence in left field in the seventh inning to pull the home squad back to within a run. Then, in the eighth, Hoyle delivered the go-ahead and game-winning runs as he dropped a two-RBI double inside the foul line down the left-field side to push WCU ahead.
Senior reliever T.J. Fussell (6-2) struck out five batters in 2 2/3 innings of relief work out of the bullpen to score the win. The Asheville, N.C., native scattered seven hits and a walk, allowing two runs to score while keeping the game close to allow the Catamount offensive rally. Junior Tyler Powell secured his 12th save of the season, working around a one-out double to keep Davidson scoreless.
Starter Jordan Smith was again solid in the starting role, striking out nine batters, including the first five of the game. The senior from Liberty, N.C., allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks in his final home appearance of his career.
Down to its final nine outs and facing a 6-1 deficit, the WCU bats came to life against Davidson starter Danny Mooney, who had struck out 11 batters in the previous six innings. The seventh inning started with Mooney's 12th strikeout of the night, but pinch-hitter Danny Bermudez reached when the third strike went to the backstop. Junior Bradley Strong followed with a single to right, and Cody Jones reached on an error by the Wildcat shortstop to load the bases ahead of Martin. The SoCon leader in RBIs launched a rocket grand slam over the left-field fence, cutting the Davidson lead down to one, 6-5.
WCU was poised to take the lead in the frame after walks were issued to Dykota Spiess and Luke Gragg, but Wildcat reliever Durin O'Linger induced an inning-ending double play to preserve the Davidson lead for another frame.
With Davidson threatening in the top of the eighth inning, Fussell struck out Sam Foy with two runners aboard to keep the margin at just one run.
In the bottom of the inning, senior Taylor Sandefur started the rally with a pinch-hit single to right field before freshman Dylan Prevatte sacrificed pinch-runner Aaron Attaway to second base with a perfect bunt between a charging Davidson third baseman the Wildcat pitcher. After a walks to Strong and Martin, Attaway raced home to score the tying run on a passed ball.
After working the count full, Hoyle went to the opposite field, depositing a cue-shot down the left field line that landed inches in fair ground to score Strong and Martin to give the Catamounts the 8-6 lead.
Senior Luke Gragg drove home the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning, drawing a bases-loaded HBP. Strong led the Catamounts with three singles in a 3-for-4 outing, while Spiess collected his 11th double of the year on a line-drive shot to straightaway center in the third inning. With the four RBIs on the grand slam, Martin has a SoCon-leading 64 on the year.
For Davidson, Michael Goldberg (3-3) was saddled with the loss, allowing two runs, one earned, in a third of an inning. Mooney, who took a no-decision, recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts in six innings of work. He scattered seven hits and allowed five runs, four of which were earned.
Ben Arkin and Lee Miller finished with three hits apiece to pace six Wildcats with multi-hit games in the losing effort. Miller doubled twice and hit a two-run home run. Forrest Brant drove home two on a fifth-inning single up the middle.
The final two games of the regular season are scheduled for Friday, with first pitch at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium set for 2 p.m. Between games, WCU will honor its nine senior-class members in a special on-field ceremony.
Furman at Appalachian State postponed
BOONE, N.C. – Thursday's baseball series opener between Appalachian State and Furman has been postponed due to heavy rain in the High Country.
The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on Friday at Appalachian State's Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. The first game will start at 1 p.m. with the nightcap scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
UNCG at The Citadel postponed
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The opening game of The Citadel-UNCG series at Riley Park was postponed by rain Thursday afternoon.
The Bulldogs and Spartans will now play the first of their three-game set Friday at 1 p.m. The teams will wrap up the series and the regular season with a doubleheader Saturday at noon.
Following Saturday's twinbill, The Citadel will have two days off before opening Southern Conference tournament play Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Riley Park against an opponent to be determined.