Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina gradually chipped away at a 6-0 first-inning deficit to post an 11-7 come-from-behind win over VMI Saturday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. Rod Goldston, who was 3-for-4, hit a game-tying, two-run home run in the seventh for the Catamounts (26-14, 15-5), while WCU exploded for four eighth-innings runs to seal the win.
Also playing a key role in Western's win was sophomore third baseman Chris Davis. The Goldsboro, N.C., native tied a career high with his 4-for-4 performance, while he drove in two, scored once and walked once. Overall, each of WCU's starters registered at least one hit, including two each by Wayne Kilmer, Todd Buchanan, Matt Nelson and Brian Sigmon.
VMI (14-20, 8-9) sent 10 men to the plate in the top of the first and jumped on WCU starting pitcher Brad Josey for six runs. After a one-out single by Brandon Massenburg (Prince George, Va. / Prince George), Justin Briggs (Rustburg, Va. / Rustbug) followed with a two-run home run to left. Andy Barden (Chesterfield, Va. / Manchester) followed with a single, Allan Wimmer (Vienna, Va. / James Madison) doubled and Jason Annis (Placentia, Calif. / Valencia) delivered a two-run single to center. Jon Wade (Marietta, Ga. / Harrison) then hit an RBI double. With two outs and Wade on third, Matt Smith (Chesapeake, Va. / Great Bridge) singled off Josey's leg, for the Keydets sixth run.
The Catamounts cut into their deficit with a single run in the bottom of the second. Denver Edick had a one-out double and scored one batter later on Davis' single to center. However, the Keydets regained their six-run advantage with a run in the top of the third. Annis reached on an error to third and moved to third on Wade's single. Ben Rand (South Boston, Va. / VCU) executed a safety squeeze to plate Annis. Western made it a five-run game (7-2) on Buchanan's solo homer in the bottom of the third, marking his 11th blast of the season.
Western put two runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth, making it a 7-4 game in VMI's favor. Edick reached on an error and Davis followed with a bloop single to center. Nelson then laid down a bunt single, but the VMI catcher committed a throwing error, allowing two runs to score. VMI pitcher Phil Hendrix (Richmond, Va. / West Iredell, N.C.) escaped further damage by getting two strikeouts and a fly ball to end the inning.
The Cats tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth, making the score 7-5. Goldston came through with a two-out single and Edick was walked. Davis then hit a line drive off the second baseman's glove, going for an RBI single.
After WCU relief pitcher Derrick Hawk loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh, he got out of the jam with a pair of fly balls. Western then knotted the game at 7-7 in the bottom half. Buchanan reached on an infield single and Goldston followed with a two-run homer to left-center field. The shot was his fourth of the season and chased Hendrix.
The Catamounts then put the game out of reach with four runs, three of which were unearned, in the bottom of the eighth. Kilmer, who reached on a fielder's choice and moved to third on a Beck single, Buchanan provided what proved to be the game-winning RBI, reaching on an error. Goldston then had an RBI single and he and Buchanan moved to second and third after a wild pitch. A Davis walk loaded the bases and Nelson capped the scoring with a two-run single to right.
Hawk (6-1) was credited with the win, pitching three innings and allowing three hits. He did not surrender a run, while walking two and striking out two. Josey settled down after giving up six in the top of the first, although the Keydets did score an unearned run in the third. He retired the side in order in the second and only gave up three hits over his final four innings of work. Ryan Foster worked a perfect ninth to record his seventh of the season. He is now tied for fifth on the WCU single-season saves list and his 22 career saves is a WCU record and ranks fifth (tied) on the SoCon top 10.
All but one Keydet starter got at least one hit on the day. Wade led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, while Briggs, Wimmer and Annis each had two hits. Briggs and Annis also each had two RBI. Hendrix did not figure in the decision, pitching six-plus innings and allowing 13 hits, seven runs (five earned) and two walks with three strikeouts. Jimmy Thoms (Newport News, Va. / Denbigh) (3-2) suffered the loss, He gave up five hits and four runs (one earned) with a walk and two strikeouts.
Western Carolina and VMI will complete their three-game series on Sunday (April 20) with first pitch set for 2 pm.
Courtesy of the Western Carolina Sports Information Department
