Western Carolina Upsets Georgia Southern in Game Two

CHARLESTON, S.C. ? No. 6 seed Western Carolina built an 11-2 lead and had every player record at least one hit as the Catamounts topped No. 3 seed Georgia Southern 11-4 in game two of the 2010 Bennett Hofford Southern Conference Baseball Championship presented by Carolina Ford Dealers.

WCU (35-19-1) will take on No. 2 seed College of Charleston Thursday in the winner’s bracket, while GSU (34-23) will play No. 7 seed Appalachian State in the loser’s bracket.

Outfielder Dylan de Graaf led the Catamounts, going 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Designated hitter Matt Johns tallied two hits, two RBIs and also scored twice. Second baseman Ross Heffley and catcher Ollie Goulder each notched two hits.

First baseman Kyle Blackburn went 4-for-5 for the Eagles with a team-leading two RBIs. Outfielder Shawn Payne registered two hits and scored two runs, while designated hitter Michael Burruss reached base twice.

Matt Benedict (9-1) picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits in 7.2 innings of work. He fanned seven batters. Jake Brown (7-6) took the loss for the Eagles, giving up eight runs, six of which were earned, on eight hits. He struck out two.

WCU scored nine runs over four innings to take an 11-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. GSU added two runs, but Andrew Chilcoat was able to get A.J. Wirnsberger to ground out to second and clinch the victory for the Catamounts.

In the top of the fourth the Catamounts extended their lead to five. de Graaf tripled to left center and was plated by shortstop Austin Schultz, who singled through the left side. Johns was up next at the plate and hit a round-tripper to center field scoring Schultz.

First baseman Kyle Blackburn led off the bottom of the fourth with a double. He would eventually score on a wild pitch and pull the Eagles within four.

The Catamounts responded in the top of the fifth, tacking on three runs to extend their lead to seven. Outfielder Trevor Collias scored on a groundout by first baseman Tyler White. A single through the left side by de Graaf plated Goulder. Three runners advanced on a wild pitch, including de Graaf who crossed home plate.

In the top of the eighth de Graaf connected again, this time flying out to right field and plating Dullnig to give the Catamounts a nine-run advantage.

Outfielder Victor Roache hit a solo shot to right center for the Eagles in the bottom of the ninth. A single by Blackburn scored Payne, and WCU was able to get the final out and end the game.

GSU committed two errors and left 10 players on base, while WCU stranded 11.