Jackets claim series from Western Carolina with game two blowout

Connor Thomas (6-1, 2.83) faced sophomore RHP Chase Walter (5-4, 4.77) of Peachtree City on a weather threatening day with an early start. It was a near repeat of Friday, somewhat tight early and blown open when the Catamount bullpen came into play.

Thomas faced the minimum in the first, despite a leadoff single, aided by McCann throwing out a would be base stealer. In their half of the first, Tech picked right up with four runs on singles by Waddell, Radcliff, Hall, and Webb and a double by Guldberg.

The Jackets added a run in their 3rd on Radcliff’s double and Hall’s RBI single to make it 5-0. WCU finally broke through in their 4th when a couple of singles and a couple of wild pitches led to a run.

Tech did some two out damage in their 5th when Radcliff walked and was driven in by Hall’s double. Colin then scored on Austin Wilhite’s single. Not done, Nick Wilhite singled in his brother, so it was 8-1 after five. The Catamounts led off their 6th with a homer to right center by leadoff batter Nanny, then put together a couple of singles and a stolen base to score again, making it 8-3. When Thomas hit the next batter, it looked like a dangerous moment, but a timely double play grounder ended the inning with no more damage. WCU brought in junior RHP Blake Therrian to pitch the 6th. He didn’t have much success, as Tech used singles by McCann, Radcliff, Hall, Webb, and Nick Wilhite to score five runs, making it 13-3. Colin Hall finished his day 4-4 with five RBI.

Barron Radcliff also made his day 4-4 and drove in two runs in Tech’s 7th, to make it 15-3 and subs started coming in for the Jackets. New graduate Micah Carpenter came to the mound to relieve Thomas and got through the 8th easily. Jake Moebius came in to pitch the 8th for WCU. Cole Neuber got his first collegiate hit – a home run to left field, making it 16-3.

Micah finished out the game with a scoreless ninth. He was “effectively wild” and hit two pitchers and struck out two. The final out was somewhat ironic. He got Kitt Capell, the catcher against whom Micah had gotten his only collegiate hit and RBI Friday night.

Thomas got the win, Walter the loss, as Tech improved to 32-13. Hall and Radcliff led the many offensive stars for the Jackets, each four for four with eight RBI between them.