Eagles Rally but Fall at Western Carolina 8-7 in Series Finale

Cullowhee, N.C. -- Morehead State spotted Western Carolina four runs, stormed back with six straight runs over the three middle innings to grab the lead, but ultimately fell 8-7 Sunday in the series finale at Childress Field at Hennon Stadium in Cullowhee, N.C.
 
Morehead State (10-11) trailed 4-0 heading into the fourth inning. MSU's Caden Sheridan got the Eagles on the board with a leadoff home run in the fourth, a liner over the left field fence that traveled 404 feet. The Catamounts threatened in the fourth with runners at second and third with one out, but Davis induced two fly balls to get out of the inning.
 
The Eagles scored a pair of runs in the fifth inning to cut the WCU to 4-3. Ian McCubbin led off with a walk and advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher attempting a pickoff. He advanced to third on a lined to center by Kyle Krupp and scored on a wild pitch with Krupp advancing to second. Krupp scored on Kearns' liner single to center.
 
Morehead State took the lead in the sixth. Nick Griffith led off getting hit by a pitch and scored on Ian McCubbin's two-out triple down the left field line. Krupp followed with an RBI single through the right side. Krupp stole second base and scored on Davis Germann's infield single and throwing error by WCU third baseman Mason Holtman to give MSU a 6-4 lead.
 
Morehead State starter Connor Davis got a no-decision in a solid start. He pitched into the seventh inning, officially throwing six innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. He walked three WCU batters and recorded three strikeouts.
 
Western Carolina (14-7) got two runs back in the seventh to tie the game at 6-6. WCU drew back even in the bottom of the seventh inning. Two sharp singles chased Davis as Devin Costa came out of the bullpen to relieve the MSU starter. A pair of singles plated two runs and chased Costa. Freshman Luke Hayes came out of the bullpen and put out the fire.
 
After two quick outs in the top of the eighth inning, right-fielder Ian McCubbin slammed a drive over the scoreboard in deep right center that travelled 448 feet and gave the Eagles the lead at 7-6.
 
WCU got a leadoff walk by Trent Turner in the eighth then pinch-hitter Cole Jones reached on a throwing error by Hayes on a sacrifice bunt to put runners on the corners. Catamount right fielder Elijah Smith lifted a fly down the right field line. German caught the fly down the right field line and fired a throw to Sheridan to cut down Turner at the plate as Jones advanced to second base on the play.
 
Jones then advanced to third on a balk by Hayes. After an intentional walk, an infield error on Jalen Jones' ground ball allowed Jones to score and put runners at first and second. WCU Wyatt Stanley delivered an RBI single to put the Catamounts back ahead 8-7 for the final margin. Both runs in the inning were unearned.
 
WCU's Bryant Kimbrell (3-0) earned the win out of the bullpen. He threw three innings, allowing one run on three hits and struck out five Eagle batters. Luke Hayes (1-1) took the loss. The freshman threw 1.2 innings, allowing the two unearned runs , one hit, three walks and struck out two Catamount batters.
 
Western Carolina got three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Catamounts first two batters reached on a walk and a hit batsman. Two RBI singles and a sacrifice fly plated the runs for WCU.
 
After the Eagles threatened in the second but failed to score, the Catamounts looked to score again. After a leadoff single through the right side by first-baseman Marshall McGowan, WCU's right fielder lined a drive that short-hopped the fence in right center for a double. Eagle right fielder Ian McCubbin threw to second baseman Nick Griffith, who relayed a strike to Caden Sheridan to cut down McGowan at the plate and extinguish the rally.
 
WCU tacked on another run in the third inning on a lead-off walk, stolen base and a two-out RBI single to extend the Catamount lead to 4-0, setting up the Morehead State comeback.
 
Morehead State returns to action Wednesday when the Eagles host Ohio in its true home-opener at Allen Field at Prefontaine Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET. The game is scheduled to be aired on ESPN+.
 
NOTABLE

• Designated hitter Aubrey Kearns smacked five hits in five at bats with a double and an RBI and Ian McCubbin smacked a triple and a home run to lead the Eagle offense.
• Kearns went 9-16 in the four-game series in Cullowhee with four doubles and five RBI.
• Ian McCubbin went 2-3 with a triple, a home run and two RBI. He scored three runs.
• Kyle Krupp went 2-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
• Morehead State pitching allowed six walks and struck out five.
• Eagle hitters struck out 12 times and walked four times.