CULLOWHEE, N.C. – On Saturday afternoon, the Wofford College baseball team was defeated 4-3 by Western Carolina at Hennon Stadium. The Terriers scored twice in the second inning and the Catamounts scored the next three runs. Wofford tied it at 3-3 in the eighth and Western Carolina had a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth for the win.
 
Wofford is 20-13 on the season and 3-2 in league play. Western Carolina is 13-14 overall and 3-5 in the SoCon. Wofford left 13 runners on base in the game and both teams had seven hits in the contest. The series is tied at 1-1 heading into the Sunday finale. The Terriers were led by Mike Brown with two hits and two RBIs. Justice Bigbie had two hits and two RBIs for the Catamounts.
 
Both teams had singles in the first inning. In the top of the second, Hudson Byorick reached on an error and Colin Davis singled. A failed pickoff attempt advanced the runners and an intentional walk to Matty Brown loaded the bases with one out. With two outs a single by Mike Brown drove in two runs for the lead. The Catamounts stranded one runner in the bottom of the second inning after a double.
 
Wofford was retired in order in the top of the third inning and Western Carolina left one on base after a hit by pitch. John Dempsey singled with one out in the fourth inning and Matty Brown followed with a walk. With two outs Mike Brown walked to load the bases before a fly ball left three stranded. The Catamounts went in order to end the fourth inning.
 
With one out in the top of the fifth, Lawson Hill and Hudson Byorick had back-to-back singles. A strikeout and fly ball ended the top half. Western Carolina was retired in order in the bottom of the fifth. Mike Brown tripled in the top of the sixth with two outs, but a flyball ended the scoring chance. The Catamounts had two outs in the bottom of the sixth when a walk was followed by a home run by Justice Bigbie to tie the game at 2-2.
 
Brett Rodriguez walked to led off the seventh inning and Lawson Hill followed with a walk. Rodriguez was caught stealing third on a double steal attempt. A ground out moved Hill to third base before a foul out ended the top half. The Catamounts had a single to start the bottom of the seventh. After a fielder's choice, a triple gave Western Carolina a 3-2 lead. A double play on a bunt ended the inning. John Dempsey walked in the top of the eighth inning. Matty Brown and Mike Brown walked to load the bases with one out. A sacrifice fly by Andrew Orzel tied the game at 3-3. Brett Rodriguez walked to again load the bases, but a fly ball ended the scoring chance.
 
In the bottom of the eighth the Catamounts had a single with one out. A fly ball was followed by the runner caught stealing second to end the inning. Matt Pagano walked with one out in the top of the ninth. Back-to-back fly balls ended the top half. The lead-off batter in the bottom of the ninth reached on a strikeout and passed ball. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runner and a single with two outs drove in the winning run.
 
Hayes Heinecke started for Wofford and worked 6.1 innings with three runs allowed on five hits, along with six strikeouts. Rasesh Pandya (2-1) threw 2.1 innings with one unearned run allowed on two hits, while striking out four batters.
 
Western Carolina starter Chase Walter went seven innings with three runs allowed on seven hits, while striking out seven and walking six. Taylor Purus worked an inning without allowing a hit but walked three. Jack Snyder (1-1) went an inning without allowing a hit and recording one strikeout.
 
The Terriers and Catamounts conclude the series on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.