CULLOWHEE, N.C. – On Saturday night, the Wofford College baseball team was defeated 9-3 by Western Carolina at Hennon Stadium. After postponing the start of the series for a day due to rain, the Catamounts took a 2-0 advantage in the first inning and added four runs in the fifth inning. Wofford scored three times in the top of the seventh and left the bases loaded in the eighth. The Catamounts added three runs in the bottom of the eighth for the final margin.
                    
Wofford is 24-22 on the season and 9-7 in the Southern Conference. Western Carolina is 23-21 overall and 12-7 in the league. The Terriers were led by Carson Waln and Brett Rodriguez with two hits each, with Rodriguez driving in two runs. Bryson Bowman led the Catamounts with two hits and two runs scored.
 
Kody Ruedisili opened the game with a single, but it was followed by a double play and strikeout to end the top of the first. The Catamounts had runners on the corners with one out when a sacrifice fly plated a run and a double made it 2-0. Wofford left one runner on base in the top of the second after a single from Reed Massey. Western Carolina had a single with two outs in the bottom of the second when a strikeout ended the inning.
 
Wofford was retired in order in the top of the third inning. The Catamounts had back-to-back singles with one out, but they left two runners on base at the end of the third. The Terriers went in order in the top of the fourth and the Catamounts stranded one runner after bunt single. Mack Nathanson led off the fifth inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but was left on third base.  
 
The Catamounts had runners at first and third after a walk and a single in the bottom of the fifth inning. A sacrifice fly scored a run for a 3-0 lead and after a walk a single through the left side made it 4-0. A double with two outs drove in a run, while an RBI single gave the Catamounts a 6-0 lead. Brett Rodriguez walked to start the sixth inning, but was unable to advance. Western Carolina was retired in order to end the sixth frame.
 
Carson Waln led off the seventh inning with a single and Mack Nathanson followed with a double. A walk to Reed Massey loaded the bases. With one out, a ground out by Andrew Orzel drove in a run for a 6-1 score. A triple by Brett Rodriguez with two outs cut the lead to 6-3 in the middle of the seventh. The Catamounts had a single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but the runner was stranded.
 
In the top of the eighth, Brett Hash singled and Carson Waln doubled to lead off. A walk by Reed Massey with one out loaded the bases. A pop up and strikeout ended the top half with three runners stranded. The Catamounts had runners at first and third after a single and error on a sacrifice bunt. A throwing error allowed two runs to score and Western Carolina had an 8-3 lead. A sacrifice fly added a run and it was a 9-3 game at the end of eight innings. The Terriers opened the ninth with a single by Brett Rodriguez, which was followed by a double play. McClain Bradley added a single and Brett Hash reached on an error, but a ground out ended the game.
 
Adam Scott (5-4) started for the Terriers and threw 6.2 innings. He allowed six runs on eleven hits and struck out four with two walks. Merritt Huber allowed two runs on one hit in a third of an inning. Cole Bradley gave up one run. Elliot Lance did not allow a hit in two-thirds of an inning. Jake Hershman struck out the lone batter he faced.
 
Western Carolina starter Bryan Sammons (6-3) went 6.2 innings with three runs allowed on five hits, along with seven strikeouts and four walks. Korey Anderson worked 1.1 innings with two hits allowed and two strikeouts. Jake Niezen gave up two hits, but did not allow a run in the ninth inning.
 
Wofford will conclude the series at Western Carolina with a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Terriers only have two home dates remaining, a single game on May 12 and a doubleheader on May 14, against Mercer.