The Citadel drops 13-inning thriller with WCU

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – In a game that was interrupted by a nearly two-hour rain delay, it was Western Carolina who was able to outlast The Citadel in 7-6 game that went 13 innings.

Game Information

Score: Western Carolina 7, The Citadel 6 (13)

Records: The Citadel (21-24, 6-10), Western Carolina (20-28, 7-11)

Location: Hennon Field (Cullowhee, North Carolina)

Series: Western Carolina leads 1-0

How it Happened

The Bulldogs got on the board in the second inning as Thomas Rollauer led off the frame with a solo home run to left field. Wells Sykes followed with a double into the corner in left before scoring after stealing third and the ball being thrown away.
The Citadel added to its lead in the third inning as three walks loaded the bases. Rollauer drove in a run with a single to right and Sykes followed with a RBI groundout to the right side.
The fifth run came in to score in the fourth inning as Sawyer Reeves drove in a run with a fielder’s choice.
Western Carolina got their offense going in the sixth as Psacanel Ferreras led off the inning with a home run and Jack Spyke later added a two-run homer to left center.
The game would remain the same until two outs in the eighth when Nate Stocum hit a three-run double to center to give the Catamounts the lead.
The Bulldogs answered right back as Sawyer Reeves blooped a double into right center and scored on a Travis Lott double of the fence in center.
WCU scored the winning run in the 13th on a slow roller up the first base line off the bat of Jordan Starkes.

Inside the Box Score

The Citadel got strong pitching through the game as starter Cameron Reeves allowed three runs on seven hits and five strikeouts over 5.0 innings.
Will Holmes (2-4) was brilliant in extra innings as he gave up just one run on four hits and six strikeouts over 5.0 innings.
Holmes was able to work himself out of jams as he got a strikeout to strand a runner at second to end the ninth, worked around a leadoff hit by pitch in the 10th, danced around a leadoff double in the 11th and a leadoff single the in 12th.
The Bulldogs got two hits from five of the nine hitters in the lineup.
Thomas Rollauer hit his third home run of the season as part of a two-hit, two RBI game.
Wells Sykes collected a pair doubles, driving in a run and scoring another.
Sawyer Reeves added two hits and scored a pair of runs.
Travis Lott had two hits and drew a pair of walks.
Anthony Badala was the fifth Bulldog with two hits.
Dylan Costa drew three walks and scored a run.
Nick Hyde (2-1) picked up the win after retiring the two hitters he faced.

On Deck

The teams are scheduled to play the middle game of the three-game series Saturday at 2 p.m.