CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Warren Slack threw his first-career complete game and Ed Jayjack came within a double of the cycle to lead UNC Greensboro to a 5-3 win over Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Hennon Stadium.
Slack picked up the win after allowing only three runs on eight hits over his nine innings, while tying a season-high with seven strikeouts. Matt Benedict picked up his first loss of the season for the Catamounts (26-15-1, 9-10-1 Southern Conference) after giving up five runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Jayjack went a perfect 4-4 with three RBI and a run scored on Saturday to lead the Spartans (19-24, 6-17 SoCon). Corey Overholtzer also had two hits to go along with an RBI and two runs scored for UNCG.
Tyler Kirkpatrick, Bryant Noteboom and Matt Benedict all had two hits for the Catamounts.
After neither team was able to get on the scoreboard through the first three innings, Western Carolina manufactured a run in the bottom of the fourth to take a 1-0 lead. Tyler Kirkpatrick led off the inning with a double to left center and then moved to third on a fly out to center field. Trevor Collias then hit another fly out to center field for a sacrifice fly to score Kirkpatrick.
The Spartans responded though with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Jayjack led off the inning with a home run to right field to tie the game at one. Ray Quinones followed with a single through the right side before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Eric Brindle. He moved over to third on a fly out to right field and then scored on a wild pitch to give UNCG its first lead.
A Catamount walk and back-to-back singles from WCU loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth with no outs. Western Carolina was only able to score one run though on a groundout to tie the game at two.
UNCG fought back once again though in the top of the sixth to retake the lead on an RBI single by Jayjack. With two outs in the inning, Overholtzer and Lloyd Enzor hit back-to-back singles before Jayjack slapped a single to center field to score Overholtzer and give the Spartans a 3-2 lead.
The seesaw game continued in the bottom of the seventh as the Catamounts tied the game at 3-3. With one out, Matt Johns struck out, but reached first on a wild pitch. He stole second before moving over to third on a groundout to the second baseman. Ross Heffley then singled to left field to score Johns and tie the game.
As they did all afternoon, the Spartans immediately came back in the next half inning to retake the lead. Harry Slade led off by reaching on a throwing error by the third baseman before Chris Barker sacrificed him to second. Overholtzer then hit a double just inside the first base bag to score Slade and give the Spartans a 4-3 advantage. Overholtzer then scored later in the inning on a single through the right side by Jayjack.
The two teams will play the rubber game on Sunday at 2 p.m.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro 5, Western Carolina 3
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UNC Greensboro...... 000 021 020 - 5 8 0 (19-24, 6-17)
Western Carolina.... 000 110 100 - 3 8 1 (26-15-1, 9-10-1)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro - Warren Slack and Ed Jayjack. Western Carolina - Matt Benedict; Brandon Johnson(8) and Radley Haddad; Ollie Goulder.
Win-Warren Slack(3-8) Loss-Matt Benedict(6-1) T-2:28 A-482
HR UNCG - Ed Jayjack.
Weather: 73 and partly cloudy
- UNCG -
