WCU Defeats 'Cats in Regular Season Finale, 4-3

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CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina rallied in the seventh inning to defeat Davidson, 4-3, to conclude a Southern Conference baseball doubleheader and the regular season Friday at Hennon Stadium.

With Western Carolina (37-16, 20-6 SoCon) trailing by one in the seventh, shortstop Aaron Attaway (0-for-3) led the frame off with a walk, swiped second and advanced to third on a groundout to move into prime scoring position for the Catamounts. Second baseman Bradley Strong (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) hit what appeared to be a sacrifice fly to left field, but the ball was dropped for an error, allowing Strong to reach second as Attaway scored. Strong then scored the go-ahead run on a double by centerfielder Cody Jones (2-for-4).

Davidson (28-17, 17-8 SoCon) had not been swept in its previous 13 SoCon series dating back to last season, winning 11. Elon was previously the last to take three from the 'Cats well over a year ago (Mar. 29-30, 2013).

Western Carolina scored the first runs of the game in the third inning on a two-run home run by Strong, but an RBI-double by right fielder Nathan Becker (3-for-4) that plated centerfielder Forrest Brandt (2-for-4) in the fourth inning halved the lead, and a two-RBI double by third baseman Ben Arkin (1-for-3) that plated Brandt and Becker in the fourth gave Davidson a 3-2 advantage.

Neither starter factored in the decisions, as RHP Clark Beeker pitched five innings for Davidson, allowing just the two runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts, while LHP Bryan Sammons went six innings for Western Carolina, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

RHP Matt Saeta (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) in 1.1 innings on two hits and two walks with one strikeout, while RHP Colton Davis (4-2) earned the win in relief, allowing just a hit and striking out three in 1.2 innings.

The Southern Conference Baseball Championship is next for both teams.

Western Carolina clinched the SoCon baseball regular season title by winning the first two games of the series, while Davidson will be the second seed. The Wildcats will play the winner of the No. 7/No. 10 seed game at Riley Park in Charleston, S.C. on Wednesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.

The Citadel is the No. 10 seed, while the No. 7 seed is still up for grabs. The only other seeds that have been clinched are the third (Samford) and fourth (Georgia Southern).

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