Series to conclude in Saturday doubleheader at 2 p.m.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 28, 2023) – The Buccaneer and Catamount offense put on a show for fans at Thomas Stadium on Friday, but Western Carolina’s baseball team would come out on top in a high-scoring 12-10 final in a series opener with ETSU in Johnson City, Tenn.

The Bucs took a 4-1 lead in the second inning, but the Catamounts scored five runs to surge ahead in the third and later led 12-5 heading into the seventh inning stretch. The seventh inning happened to be ETSU’s best offensive inning this season, and the Bucs proved that right with a five-run comeback rally to pull within two runs at 12-10.

Neither team would score in the eight and ninth innings, though a two-out single by Skyler Cannady (Nicholasville, Ky.) brought the tying run to the plate. WCU ended the threat with a foul out to take the series opener.

Despite the loss, ETSU had 12 hits on the day. Senior shortstop Ashton King (Knoxville, Tenn.) led the way with a three-hit day —his first three-hit day since the three homers he hit against Seton Hall to tie a single-game school record. Cannady and three others finished with two-hit days, including catcher Ryan McCarthy (Knoxville, Tenn.) with a team-high three RBIs on a single and a double.

Joining Cannady and McCarthy with two-hit days were Nick Iannantone (Plainfield, Ill.) and Cody Miller (Rocky Point, N.Y.). Iannantone had a two-RBI single in that four-run second inning, while Miller singled twice and stole second both times. He scored on a single by Garett Wallace (Sanford, Fla.) in the seventh inning for ETSU’s first run in the five-run comeback rally.

The turning point for the Catamounts came in the third frame, as Kyle Harbison hit a grand slam to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 6-4 lead. WCU never trailed after that, holding off the comeback attempt.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

Win – Jonathan Todd (2-2)

Loss – Colby Stuart (1-3)

Save – Coby Ingle (1)

TEAM RECORDS

ETSU: 18-21, 4-9 SoCon

WCU: 16-24, 5-7 SoCon

ON DECK

Due to potential weather, the series will conclude with a 2 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday inside Thomas Stadium.

For up-to-date information and weather updates regarding Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the baseball tab. Also, follow us on Twitter at @ETSU_Baseball.