ETSU (5-16, 5-7) out hit the Catamounts 14-13, but seven Western Carolina extra base hits would make up the difference as the Bucs surrendered two home runs, two triples and three doubles. The Bucs stranded 14 runners on the game failing to convert on several opportunities.

The Bucs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on an Anthony Russell (Waldorf, Md.) RBI single to right driving in Nick Belcher (Abingdon, Va.) from second base. With two outs and the bases loaded senior Bubba Herbold (Knoxville, Tenn.) doubled to deep center clearing the bases to give the Bucs a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first the Catamounts would answer on a three run home run by J. C. Lyons to cut the ETSU lead to 4-3.

ETSU scored again in the third inning on a bases loaded two out walk by Ben Allen (Kingsport, Tenn.) to bring in Paul Hoilman (Johnson City, Tenn.) to make the score 5-3. Danny Petro (Atlanta, Ga.) would come in to score on a Matt Benedict throwing error as he tried to make the pick at third, but the ball would ricochet off of Petro into left field.

Junior Troy Mendez (Roswell, Ga.) doubled to left center driving in Jacob Fabry (Chattanooga, Tenn.) to increase the lead to 7-3 in the top of the fourth. In the next at bat Hoilman doubled to the same exact spot to drive in Mendez to extend the Buccaneer lead to five runs.

With two outs and the bases loaded Mendez would make an outstanding catch as ranged to his right making the catch as he collided against the right field fence to end the fourth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Catamounts would cut into the ETSU lead on an RBI single by Ryan Mathews to make the score 8-4.

The Bucs would answer in the top of the sixth on a Herbold grounder to third that was bobbled as Mendez came into score on the play to make the lead 9-4.

Western Carolina added another run in the bottom of the seventh on a Garrett Shaft RBI triple to center cutting the lead to 9-5. With the bases loaded Matt Johns doubled down the right field line to score two more runs as the Buc lead was cut down to 9-7. The Catamounts would score two more runs in the inning to tie the game on an error by Russell and a RBI double by Brent Greer. Western Carolina would take the lead on the next at bat as a Blake Murphy drove in the go ahead run. 

In the top of the eighth the Bucs would try a suicide squeeze but Allen's bunt went right back to the pitcher and Herbold would be thrown out at the plate. The very next at bat Belcher blasted a two run double to the deepest part of the park to score pinch runner Chris Rankhorn (Gallatin, Tenn.) and Allen to retake the lead by a score of 11-10.

In the bottom of the ninth, Haynes hit a two run walk off home run off of junior Ben Andrews (Leesburg, Fla.) to make the final 12-11.

Belcher, Mendez and Hoilman each had three hits for the Bucs, while Herbold led ETSU with three RBI.

The Bucs are back in action tomorrow as they will take on Tennessee Tech at Cardinal Park at 7 p.m.

ETSU 0, Western Carolina 0 (March 25, 2008 at Cullowhee, N.C.)
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ETSU............402  201  020   - 11  14  3   (5-16, 5-7 A-Sun)

WCU.............300  010  602   - 12  13  7   (7-14, 0-3 SoCon)

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Pitchers: ETSU - Bo Burton; Chas Byrne (4); Darren Caldwell (7); Dustin Plumlee (7); Ben Andrew (8)
WCU - Matt Benedict; Tyler Sexton (4); Brandon Johnson (6); Drew Saberhagen (8); Chris Masters (8)

Win - Chris Masters (1-2) Loss - Ben Alndrews (1-1)

HR - WCU - J.C. Lyons (7); Jason Haynes (1)