Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Western Carolina
Western Carolina Rallies Past Baseball, 12-8
2/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2008
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Marshall University senior catcher Tommy Johnson and junior center fielder Nate Lape each tallied two home runs, but fourth and fifth inning rallies by Western Carolina propelled the Catamounts to a 12-8 victory in Sunday afternoon's non-conference baseball game at Hennon Stadium.
With the loss, Marshall falls to 1-2 on the season, while Western Carolina improves to 2-1 and wins the series 2-1.
Marshall built a 5-0 lead and extended that to 7-3 on stellar offense before Western Carolina used a six-run fifth to post a 9-7 lead. Lape responded with his second home run of the game in the top of the seventh, a solo blast to center field, cutting the gap to 9-8.
Western Carolina tacked on three more in the bottom of the eighth to pull ahead to a 12-8 advantage before the Herd loaded the bases in the top of the ninth. Marshall could not cut into the Catamount lead, and lost its second game of the season.
Western Carolina junior reliever Mike Tavenier recorded the victory, while Marshall right handed reliever Ian Kadish suffered the loss.
The Herd led off the top of the second inning with back-to-back jacks by junior center fielder Nate Lape and senior catcher Tommy Johnson. Catamount junior southpaw Drew Saberhagen was able to get the next three Marshall batters, and get out of the inning with a 2-0 deficit.
Marshall extended its lead to 5-0 with a two-out three-run rally in the third. The Herd loaded the bases for Johnson who lined a two-RBI single to left field scoring junior third baseman Brandon Casamassima, and senior left fielder Jeff Rowley. Sophomore first baseman Josh Valle then picked up his first hit of the season, an RBI single to right field, scoring Lape.
The Catamounts responded in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run inning of their own. Junior center fielder JC Lyons led off the inning with a double down the left field line and was knocked in on a single to center by sophomore shortstop Brent Greer. Sophomore first baseman Tyler Kirkpatrick blasted a two-run homer to center field, cutting the gap to 5-3.
Marshall marked the scoreboard again in the fifth inning when Johnson sent his second home run of the game over the wall in right field. Casamassima, who had singled to lead off the inning, scored on Johnson's second long-ball of the season, pushing the Herd advantage to 7-3.
Western Carolina took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the fifth when senior left fielder Barrett Shaft, who reached on a triple, scored on an errant throw to first base. The Catamounts loaded the bases and received a two-run single to left center field by freshman right fielder Ryan Mathews. Junior designated hitter Andy John then gave the Catamounts a 9-7 lead with a three-run homer to right field.
Kadish entered the game in relief of Herd sophomore starter Dan Straily, and surrendered the three-run homer to John, but held the Catamounts scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings.
Johnson went 4 for 5 on the day and tallied five RBI's in addition to his two home runs. Lape, Casamassima and Valle each recorded two-hit games in the losing effort.
Marshall returns to action next weekend for the Bash at the Beach Tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina University. Tournament action begins Friday, Feb. 29 and concludes Mar. 2.
