April 30, 2008

Cullowhee, N.C - Western Carolina, fresh off its win over former head coach Todd Raleigh and the Tennessee Volunteers, hosts the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at 7:00 pm Wednesday night at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

Fans can follow all of the action on live GameTracker, presented by Carolina West Sports Medicine and WestCare Health System, by logging onto www.CatamountSports.com.

Wednesday's game begins a four-game home stand for the Catamounts as WCU hosts defending Southern Conference tournament champion, the Wofford Terriers, for three games beginning Friday night at 7:00 pm.

WESTERN CAROLINA VS. GARDNER-WEBB: Western Carolina leads the all-time series against the Bulldogs, 7-3, including a 13-6 victory on April 1 down in Boiling Springs. In that game, WCU scored 10 runs in the first inning on their way to the win ... In that big first frame, the Cats sent 14 batters to the plate, were walked three times, had three hit batsmen and connected on five hits, with sophomore Nick Liles recording a pair of singles himself, and classmate Brent Greer hitting his first career grand slam ... Sophomore Daniel Ottone pitched four complete innings to pick up his first career win, with senior Tyler Sexton striking out six batters in three innings of relief ... Western is 4-2 against G-W in Cullowhee all-time with the Catamounts pulling out a 8-4 win the last time these two teams met at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium back in 2006 ... Gardner-Webb enters tonight's game with a 21-23 record, and a 12-15 mark in the Atlantic Sun Conference, after taking two-of-three over the Mercer Bears last weekend.

CHASING CATAMOUNT HISTORY: Senior Barrett Shaft continues his assault of the WCU record books and will look to break a pair tonight against Gardner-Webb ... Having been hit by 12 pitches this year, Shaft will overtake former teammate Jonathan Greene's career HBP record of 41 the next time he gets plunked as the two are currently tied atop the leader board ... Shaft's 310 career base hits have moved him into second place all-time and put him just one hit short of the record of 311 held by Chris Moore (1996-99).

SENIOR DUO NAMED TO GOLDEN SPIKES WATCH LIST: Western Carolina seniors Blake Murphy and Barrett Shaft have been named to the Golden Spikes Award watch list ... The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player and is given by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. The two were both named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List during the preseason which goes to the top collegiate player. In addition, Murphy is listed on the Johnny Bench Award list for the top catcher.

NOTING THE CATAMOUNTS: After defeating the Tennessee Volunteers and former WCU coach Todd Raleigh, 5-2, last evening, the Cats enter tonight's game with a 20-24 record, and 7-11 in the SoCon...WCU is now an even 13-13 in non-conference play, and have won seven of their last nine against foes outside the SoCon ... Senior Blake Murphy leads the Catamounts with 15 home runs, tying him for third in the league ... Sophomore Nick Liles comes into the weekend riding a season-high, 17-game hitting streak, and ranks first in the SoCon with 73 hits on the year.