Box Score Game Box (pdf)
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Wofford College baseball team was defeated 6-1 by Western Carolina on Sunday afternoon at Hennon Stadium. The Terriers had an 8 to 7 lead in hits, but the Catamounts took advantage of five extra base hits to earn the series sweep.
Wofford is 16-12 on the season and 1-5 in the Southern Conference. Western Carolina is 16-9 overall and 5-1 in the league. The Terriers were led by Seth Neely with two hits, while Josh Hyman scored the lone run on a solo homer. Wofford left nine runners on base, while Western Carolina left only four. Cody Jones led the Catamounts with three hits and two RBIs.
The Terriers opened the game with a lead-off home run over the left field fence by Josh Hyman. Conor Clancey added a single but was left on base. The Catamounts had a double in the bottom of the first and a two-out double by Jacob Doyle drove in a run for a 1-1 game. An RBI single by Cody Jones gave Western Carolina a 2-1 lead after one inning.
Both teams left one runner on base in the second inning. Back-to-back singles by Alec Paradowski and Seth Neely were followed by a double play to end the scoring chance. The Catamounts led off the bottom of the fourth with a double. A sacrifice fly by Luke Gragg scored the runner from third for a 3-1 lead. Luke Feisal began the top of the fifth with a single and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but he was left on base.
In the bottom of the fifth, one runner reached on an error. With two outs, Adam Martin hit a home run over the left field fence to push the lead to 5-1 after five complete innings. Seth Neely led off the top of the sixth with a double down the left field line. A walk to Conor Clancey and a sacrifice bunt gave the Terriers runners at second and third with one out, but both were stranded. The Catamounts added a solo home run by Cody Jones to lead off the bottom of the sixth for a 6-1 lead.
Wofford and Western Carolina both left one runner on base in the seventh inning. The Terriers were retired in order in the top of the eighth. The Catamounts had one on base in the bottom of the eighth, but a double play ended the inning. James Plaisted had a double with one out in the top of the ninth. A walk to Matt Pelt gave Wofford runners on the corners with two outs, but a strikeout ended the game.
Wofford pitcher Jesse Morris (5-3) went the first six innings and allowed six runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts. He now has 215 career strikeouts to move into seventh place in school history, passing Brandon Yarusi. Will Stillman worked an inning and recorded two strikeouts. Eric Eck threw an inning and did not allow a hit.
Western Carolina starter Jordan Smith (4-2) threw seven innings and allowed one run on seven hits with five strikeouts. Colton Davis worked an inning and did not allow a runner. Tyler Powell threw the ninth and allowed one hit with two strikeouts.
The Terriers will travel to UNC Asheville on Wednesday to complete the eight-game road trip before a home series against Appalachian State begins on Friday night.
