Western Carolina Claims SoCon Baseball Title Over 'Cats

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CULLOWHEE, N.C. – A five-run fifth inning and a complete game by RHP Jeremy Null led Western Carolina past Davidson, 10-2, earning the Catamounts the 2014 Southern Conference baseball regular season championship in the first end of a Friday doubleheader at Hennon Stadium.

Western Carolina improved to 36-16 overall and 19-6 in the Southern Conference, relegating Davidson to second place at 28-16 overall and 17-7 in league play. The Wildcats were seeking their second-ever SoCon title and their first since 1985, but the runner-up finish is their best in the SoCon since 1987.

In claiming their second consecutive SoCon title, Western Carolina became the first SoCon team to win a series over Davidson this season, as the 'Cats had won their last 10 dating back to last season. Wofford was previously the last team to claim a SoCon series over the 'Cats over a year ago, Apr. 26-27, 2013.

Throwing his first career complete game, Null (6-3) limited Davidson to two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out nine.

Leftfielder Lee Miller led the 'Cats offensively, going 2-for-3 with his eighth home run of the season and fourth in the last three games.

First baseman Jacob Hoyle reached base four times for the Catamounts, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Second baseman Bradley Strong (1-for-5) and left fielder Dykota Spiess (1-for-2, SF, 2 BB) had two RBIs each.

It was a pitchers' duel through the first three and a half innings, but the Catamounts got their first hits and runs off RHP Nick Neitzel (7-1) in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hoyle led the inning off with a double, and after a walk and strikeout, he scored on another double from right fielder Matt Smith (2-for-5). Third baseman J.D. Long then drove in another run with a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 Catamount lead.

WCU put the game out of reach with five runs with two outs in the fifth, sending 11 batters to the plate. Shortstop Aaron Attaway (1-for-2, RBI, BB) led the inning off with an infield single, chasing Neitzel. LHP Rob Bain entered and retired the first two batters he faced, and with Attaway on second after a stolen base he intentionally walked catcher Adam Martin (0-for-4).

Rain returned and delayed the game for approximately 30 minutes, and Hoyle delivered for the Catamounts with a single to score Attaway after the tarp was pulled. Designated hitter Luke Gragg (0-for-4) followed with another RBI-single to score Martin, and a hit batsman loaded the bases. Two more runs scored on a fielding error, and back-to-back walks drove in another run, as the Catamounts batted around, ultimately scoring the five runs on just three hits.

Miller led the sixth inning off with a first-pitch home run over the right field fence, and designated hitter Ryan Lowe (1-for-4) later drove in second baseman Andrew Pope (1-for-4), who had tripled, with a single, they were the only runs the Wildcats would score.

The Catamounts added a run in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh inning for the final margin.

The second game of the doubleheader started at 7:30 p.m.

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