Box Score Box Score
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Wofford College baseball team was defeated 5-3 by Western Carolina on Friday night at Ronnie Childress Field at Hennon Stadium. The game was tied at 3-3 after four innings, but the Catamounts scored two runs in the eighth to take the victory.
Wofford is now 21-26 on the season and 4-15 in the Southern Conference, while Western Carolina is 22-24 overall and 8-11 in the conference. The Terriers were led by Michael Gilmartin and Mo Seay, who each had two hits in the game.
The Catamounts loaded the bases with a hit, walk and catchers interference in the bottom of the second. A walk to Dylan de Graaf scored one run, but the Catamounts left three runners on base at the end of the inning.
In the top of the third, Mo Seay led off with a double down the left field line, but the Terriers left two runners on base. The Catamounts added a run in the bottom of the third when Blake Murphy hit a double to right field to score Brent Greer for a 2-0 lead.
For the Terriers in the fourth, Michael Gilmartin opened with a single and Shane Kirkley added a double. A single from Jake Williams scored Gilmartin, then Keith Munns was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. A fielders choice by Emre Caglayan added a run, then a bunt by Alex Lee drove in another run to give Wofford a 3-2 lead.
Western Carolina tied the game at 3-3 with a fielder’s choice from Dylan de Graaf to drive in Reid Rollision in the bottom of the fourth. Michael Gilmartin added a double for Wofford in the top of the fifth, but he was left on base.
The Catamounts loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the sixth with two hits and a walk, but left all three stranded. Wofford had two runners on base in the top of the seventh, but were unable to score and the game remained tied at 3-3 at the end of seven.
In the eighth, Mo Seay hit a double with two out, but was left on base by the Terriers. The Catamounts opened their half the inning with a single, then a triple to right center by Ryan Mathews scored a run. A single by Nick Liles scored Mathews for a 5-3 lead after eight innings.
The Terriers led off the ninth with a walk by Alex Lee. A single from Kyle Behrendt gave Wofford two runners with one out. However a double play ended the inning for the Terriers and the final score was 5-3.
Wofford starter Scott Summers (5-7) went 7.1 innings with eleven hits and five runs and four strikeouts. It was his longest outing of the season. John Cornely threw one pitch and got two outs in the eighth on a double play.
For Western Carolina, starter Mike Tavernier went 6.2 innings with six hits, three runs and nine strikeouts. Chris Masters threw 1.1 innings with one hit and one strikeout. Tyler Sexton came in for the ninth inning and allowed one hit.
Keith Munns was hit by a pitch for the 45th time in his career, extending his school record. Shane Kirkley has played in 207 career games, tied for second most in school history with Scott Holloway. He is one game back of Strat Stavrou with 208 career games. Wofford has lost 14 straight games to the Catamounts, dating back to the 2002 season.
Wofford and Western Carolina will play again on Saturday at 2:00 pm. This is a time change in anticipation of inclement weather on Saturday. The series will conclude on Sunday at 2:00 pm. The Terriers return home on May 7 to host South Carolina at 7:00 pm.
