March 10, 2010

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - A five-run fifth inning by Western Carolina University was the difference Wednesday as the Catamounts defeated SIUE 12-8 to sweep the two-game series from the baseball Cougars.

Trailing 4-0, The Cougars managed three runs in the third thanks to a two-run single by Zach Hawkins. Matt Highland's two-out single in the fourth evened the game at four, before Western Carolina took the lead for good with a run in the fourth and then the five-run fifth.

The Cougars, 2-10, scored a pair in the sixth on RBIs from Highland and Mitch Matecki. Highland and Matecki each picked up RBIs in a two-run eighth inning.

Highland finished 3 for 5 with his first three RBIs as a Cougar. Matecki finished 1-4 with a pair of RBIs. Hawkins was 1-4 with two RBIs.

Spencer Patton, 0-1, suffered the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The Cougars travel to Johnson City, Tenn., for a three-game series with East Tennessee State beginning Friday. First pitch is set for 6:00 pm CT.

-siue cougars-