April 8, 2011

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina's Cody Jones singled to right field to drive in Adam Martin in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Catamount baseball team a 4-3 win over Samford in the first game of a three-game Southern Conference series Friday night at Hennon Stadium.

The teams entered the 12th inning tied at 3-3. In the top of the 12th, with one out, Samford pinch-hitter Gardner Richey walked with one out. He then stole second base and moved to third on an error. Tommy Corbin and Tyler Filliben, however, were both retired to end the threat.

In the bottom of the 12th, Martin reached base on an infield single. He then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Johns. Samford then intentionally walked Tyler White to set the stage for Jones' walk-off single.

Samford built a 3-0 lead in the first three innings, but was held scoreless for the final nine innings as the Catamounts came back for the win. Samford left 14 runners on base in the loss, while Western Carolina left 12 men on base.

Samford drops to 20-12 overall and 8-5 in Southern Conference play with the loss. Western Carolina improves to 12-15-1 overall and 3-10 in league play.

The Bulldogs were led at the plate by Saxon Butler, going 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. Brandon Miller hit a home run, his 10th of the season, in a 1-for-5 performance. Phillip Ervin also drove in a run for Samford, going 1-for-6 on the night.

Andrew Jones (0-2) pitched the final 3.1 innings in relief, giving up one run on four hits to take the loss for the Bulldogs. Lex Rutledge started the game on the mound for Samford, pitching 5.2 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, striking out four batters and walking four. Tyler Vanderheiden, Grant Sides and Arthur Strauss also saw time on the mound for Samford.

For Western Carolina at the plate, Ross Heffley went 2-for-6 with a home run and an RBI. Cameron Dullnig and Martin also had two hits each for the Catamounts. Jones, Stephen Notaro and Aaron Attaway drove in a run each for WCU. Brandon Johnson (4-3) pitched the final 4.0 innings, allowing no hits, striking out two batters and walking two to earn the win for the Catamounts.

Samford struck first with two runs in the top of the first inning. Michael Johnson led the inning off with a single to left-center field. Ervin then doubled down the left field line to drive in Johnson for the game's first run. Butler doubled to left field to drive in Ervin for a 2-0 Samford lead.

The Bulldogs added a run in the top of the third inning to make the score 3-0. With two outs in the inning, Miller hit a solo home run to left-center field to give Samford a three-run lead.

Western Carolina got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Johns walked with one out and then stole second and third base. Johns then scored when Notaro reached base on a fielder's choice to cut the Samford lead to 3-1.

The Catamounts plated another run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the score 3-2. White and Notaro both singled to start the rally. Attaway then singled to drive in White to bring WCU to within one run.

Western Carolina tied the score with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs in the inning, Heffley hit a solo homer to left-center field to tie the score at 3-3.

Samford and Western Carolina will continue their SoCon series with a game Saturday at 12 p.m. (CT). Fans can follow the game online via GameTracker at the link below.

GameTracker For Saturday's Game