Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Western Carolina
Western Carolina Outlasts Baseball, 9-7
3/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 2, 2008
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Marshall University baseball team posted an early 4-0 lead, but Western Carolina was able to plate 9 runs over the next six innings to help lift the Catamounts to a hard-fought 9-7 victory over the Herd in Sunday morning's non-conference game at BB&T Coastal Field.
With the loss, the Herd falls to 2-5 on the season, while Western Carolina improves to 3-3 on the season.
After Western Carolina scored three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to take a 9-6 lead, junior center fielder Nate Lape responded in the first at-bat in the bottom half of the seventh with a solo home run to right center field, his fourth long ball of the year, bringing the Herd to within two runs at 9-7.
Western Carolina threatened in the top of the ninth, putting runners on first and second with one out, but freshman right-handed reliever Arik Sikula was able strikeout the next two batters to end the potential threat.
Western Carolina junior right-handed reliever Mike Tavernier, who came on in the second inning to replace Sebastian, was able to shut the door on the Herd, retiring the side in order in the last of the ninth. Tavernier struck out eight batters in 8.0 innings pitched and walked two in his second win of the season.
Marshall put together a solid offensive first inning when junior shortstop Adam Yeager singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Following a one-out walk to senior left fielder Jeff Rowley, Lape tallied an RBI single to score Yeager. With two on and one out, Lipton tallied his first home run of the season to right field to give the Herd an early 4-0 lead. Sophomore first baseman Josh Valle followed that with a two-out double to left field and advanced to third on a wild pitch but Western Carolina junior right-hand starter Iain Sebastian was able to get out of the inning without anymore damage.
The Catamounts responded in the top of the second when freshman designated hitter Matt Johns, who tallied a two out double, scored on an RBI single by senior second baseman Jason Haynes. Haynes then stole second and advanced to third on an overthrow on the play. The next two batters advanced on free passes (a walk and a hit batter). The Catamounts then received a bases-loaded walk to cut the Marshall lead in half. Herd junior left-handed starter Brian Mooney then forced an inning-ending fly out on a tremendous diving catch by Lipton in right field leaving the bases loaded.
Western Carolina scored two more runs in the top of the fourth when sophomore third baseman Nick Liles tallied a one-out RBI double, scoring Johns (who had reached on a walk, stole second and advanced to third on an out). Liles stole third and then scored on the second out of the inning, tying the game at 4. Herd sophomore right-handed reliever Tyler Gatrell came on to record the final out of the inning.
Mooney allowed four runs on five hits and struck out four in 3.2 innings pitched for Marshall.
The Catamounts added two-out run in the top of the fifth when freshman right fielder Ryan Mathews who reached on a fielder's choice and advanced on a balk, scored on Johns' RBI single to right field, giving Western Carolina a 5-4 edge.
Marshall answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth as Lipton tallied his fourth RBI of the season, knocking in freshman second baseman Kenny Socorro. Lape, who singled and then advanced to third on Lipton's single, scored on a sacrifice bunt by junior third baseman Brandon Casamassima to give the Herd a 6-5 advantage.
The Catamounts regained the lead, scoring three in the top of the sixth inning when senior left fielder Barrett Shaft scored on junior center fielder JC Lyons' double. Western Carolina sophomore shortstop Brent Greer and Mathews then tallied back-to-back sacrifice flies to right field to extend the Catamounts' lead to 8-6.
Western added to that lead in seventh when Haynes scored on a sacrifice bunt by Shaft. Liles who reached safely on a single, was thrown out at home on the play trying to score all the way from second base. However the Catamounts were able to increase the lead to 9-6.
Lape finished with three hits and a pair of RBIs, while Lipton registered three hits and four RBIs in the losing effort.
Senior right-hand reliever Adam Dobies who came in for Gatrell in the sixth, takes the loss in his first decision of the season.
The Herd returns to non-conference action when it travels to Radford, Tuesday March 4 for its first midweek game of the season. Game-time is slated for 2:30 p.m.
