CULLOWHEE, N.C. – UNCG starter Max Povse tossed six innings of one-run ball while scattering four hits and redshirt junior Trevor Edwards hit two home runs as UNCG defeated Western Carolina 5-1 in the Southern Conference series finale at Hennon Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

UNCG (13-10, 3-6 SoCon) avoided getting swept for the first time since May 2010 and ended Western Carolina's 14-game home winning streak thanks to a four-run third inning that was capped off by Edwards' three-run blast to right field.

Western Carolina (17-7, 4-2 SoCon) got on the board first when Dykota Spiess lofted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Jacob Hoyle and giving the Catamounts a 1-0 lead after two innings of play.

The Spartans started off the third inning with back-to-back-to-back singles, and Christian Wolfe followed with a sacrifice fly of his own, tying the game at 1. Edwards connected on the second pitch of his at bat for a three-run shot that proved to be the decisive runs.

Povse (2-2) settled in and faced only 13 batters over the next four innings and kept the Catamounts at bay. The Catamounts attempted to mount a rally following back-to-back walks in the fourth inning, but Povse induced an inning-ending double play to end the threat.

Leading 4-1 in the fifth, the Spartans' Edwards hit a frozen rope over the right field wall for his second dinger of the game  to bring his season total to 11.

Tampa, Fla., native Dylan Hathcock pitched three scoreless innings allowing three hits and striking out three to notch his first save of the season and to secure the victory for UNCG.

The Spartans return to action on Wednesday when they face North Carolina A&T at NewBridge Bank Park in downtown Greensboro at 6 p.m. The stadium is home to the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Class A affiliate to the Miami Marlins.

AGATE

UNCG 5, Western Carolina 1 (Mar 25, 2012 at Cullowhee, N.C.)
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UNCG................ 004 010 000  -  5  8  0      (13-10, 3-6)
Western Carolina.... 010 000 000  -  1  7  1      (17-7, 4-2)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Max Povse; Dylan Hathcock(7) and Cambric Moye. Western Carolina - Jon Nadale;Tyler Powell(7); Vance Chavis(8); Jeremy Sluder(8) and Adam Martin.
Win-Max Povse(2-2)  Save-Dylan Hathcock(1)  Loss-Jon Nadale(2-2)  T-2:39  A-328
HR UNCG - Trevor Edwards 2.
Weather: 56 degrees and cloudy

- UNCG -