WCU Baseball Comes From Behind to Defeat Furman 7-6
Cullowhee, N.C. - Playing in a steady rain most of the day, a pair of Western Carolina seniors led the Catamounts to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over conference foe Furman Saturday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.
Senior Ryan Schade started the Catamount ninth with a triple to left-center field. After Furman elected to intentionally walk Alan Beck and Todd Buchanan, senior Donovan Minero hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to left, scoring Schade.
Western Carolina (17-8, 8-3 SoCon) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Buchanan, scoring Schade.
Furman (10-18, 3-8 SoCon), after a quiet first, exploded for three runs in the top of the second. Dominic Frankey, Ryan Presnell and Nick Wajda started the frame with consecutive singles. Frankey and Presnell each scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Brandon Barrett and an ensuing WCU throwing error. Barrett later scored on a Cole Hubka double to left.
The Paladins and Catamounts both went scoreless over the next two and a half innings and the rain started falling. In the sixth, Furman added to its lead with a run in the top half to make the score 4-1. With two outs, Presnell doubled to left-center to plate Derek Norman, who started the inning with a walk.
Western trimmed its deficit to one, 4-3, by scoring two runs on two hits in the bottom of the sixth. Beck ledoff the Catamount sixth by reaching on a fielding error and Buchanan followed with a double down the right field line. Minero singled through the left side to score Beck and Buchanan later scored when Clint Ramsey hit into a double play.
Both the Paladins and Catamounts posted a pair of runs in the seventh to make the score 6-5. Furman centerfielder Clint Hill doubled home Barrett and later. Hill would later steal third and score on a throwing error by the WCU catcher. For Western, Goldston and Schade each had one-out hits. A single by Buchanan drove in Goldston and Schade advanced to third. Schade would later score on a wild pitch.
Ryan Basner came out to pitch the eighth for the Catamounts. After giving up a leadoff double to Drew Latora, Basner retired his next three batters. In the ninth, he gave up a single, but escaped unscathed to earn the win. The junior improved to 1-1 on the season, allowing two hits, no runs and no walks with a strikeout in two innings.
Western tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth. Pinch hitter Chris Davis ledoff with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Doug Myers. The Catamounts loaded the bases on a Brian Sigmon single. A sacrifice fly by Todd Roper scored Davis.
Furman got a surprise start from Jeff Stovall, who worked 0.2 innings in relief on Friday. However, the senior left-hander was very effective in 6.0 innings, scattering seven hits and allowing three runs (one earned) and two walks with three strikeouts. Jon Stallsmith allowed four hits, three runs and one walk in 1.1 innings. Brian Corcoran, who pitched to one batter in the eighth, did not get an out in the ninth, surrendering the Schade triple and two intentional walks. Furman closer Rob Purvis came in to pitch to Minero, who delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly.
Seth Foster was the Catamounts' starting pitcher. The junior allowed seven hits, six runs and two walks with three strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Although he did not get the win today, Foster's record remains perfect at 5-0 and WCU improved to 6-1 in games which he starts. Joe Camac finished up the seventh for Foster. Camac gave up a hit and struck out one in 0.2 innings.
Offensively for the Catamounts, Myers was 3-for-3 with a walk, while Schade went 3-for-5 with three runs scores and Buchanan was 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Minero added two hits and two RBI. For the Paladins, Presnell, Wajda and Huhka each had two hits.
Western Carolina and Furman are scheduled to wrap-up their three-game series on Sunday. Game time has been changed to 2 pm. Following the contest, the WCU Department of Athletics will host an Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 10 and under.