CULLOWHEE, NC – Western Carolina starting pitcher Tyler Sexton allowed just two runs on six hits while collecting nine strikeouts in 7-2/3 innings of work en route to his seventh win of the season as UNC Greensboro dropped a 5-2 decision at Western Carolina Saturday evening at Hennon Stadium.
Senior Patrick Currin (7-3) suffered the tough luck loss after being touched for three runs on five hits while striking out one in three innings on the hill. For Currin, it was his first loss since Mar. 7 in UNCG's 2-1 loss at Florida.
Western Carolina (27-20, 13-10 SoCon) put a run on the board in the first inning for the second consecutive day, much the same way as they had Friday night in the opener. Tim Hallam and Barrett Shaft started the inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. Third baseman Jonathan Greene put the Catamounts in front 1-0 as he followed with a sacrifice fly to rightfield for the game's first run.
Trey McDaniel put the Catamounts in front by two runs when he singled home Hallam, who singled to start the bottom of the third. The Spartans quickly cut the deficit in half at 2-1 as UNCG notched a run in the top of the fourth on three consecutive singles from the heart of the Spartan batting order. Jermaine Mitchell led off with a single to centerfield and moved to second on a fielding error by Shaft in center. Guy Welsh singled up the middle to put runners on first and third before Adam Deleo put the Spartans on the board with an RBI single to third base to score Mitchell.
UNCG (19-28, 8-12 SoCon) tied the contest at two runs apiece in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI double by Mitchell. Sean Snell drew a one-out walk and stole second before Mitchell laced a 2-1 pitch down the leftfield line for his 27th RBI of the season.
The lead didn't last long as the Catamounts struck for three runs in the home half of the eighth to take a 5-2 lead. Scott Ward started the frame with a walk before Donnie Wilson reached on a bunt single to put the first two on. After Mitchell Hatley advanced both runners one base with a sacrifice bunt, Andy John and Hallam each recorded RBI singles to stake WCU to a two-run advantage. Shaft capped the inning with an RBI on a groundout on the infield.
Mitchell and Deleo led the Spartan offensive attack as the duo both registered a 2-for-4 with one RBI night at the plate.
UNCG and Western Carolina put the finishing touches on a three-game series when the two meet Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. from Hennon Stadium.
AGATE:
Western Carolina 5, UNC Greensboro 2 (May 06, 2006 at Cullowhee, N.C.)
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UNC Greensboro...... 000 100 010 - 2 6 0 (19-28, 8-12 SoCon)
Western Carolina.... 101 000 03X - 5 13 1 (27-20, 13-10 SoCon)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Ryan Falcon; Clinton McKinney(4); Patrick Currin(6).
Western Carolina - Sexton; Holland(8).
Win-Sexton(3-2) Loss-Patrick Currin(7-3) T-2:30 A-298
Game notes:
McKinney faced 2 batters in the 6th.
- UNCG -
