CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Chicago State baseball team held the Western Carolina Catamounts at bay for the majority of the game but a big third inning gave the home Catamounts a 7-2 win in the series finale between the teams.
The Cougars got on the board first with an early run in the first inning. Back-to-back singles from
Judah Wilbur (Denver, Colorado/) and
Dalton Daily (Visalia, California/) but a runner in scoring position early for the Cougars. A single to the pitcher from
Christian Kuzemka (St. Charles, Illinois/) scored Wilbur and gave the Cougars the early advantage.
Chicago State had a chance to add onto their lead in the second inning. The Cougars had the bases loaded with one out but Western Carolina flipped a double play which ended the inning and left two Cougars stranded.
Western Carolina tied the game in the home half of the second inning with an RBI single to right field from Seth Graves.
The Catamounts blew their lead open with a big third innings which produced five runs and pushed the score to 6-1.
Chicago State had chances to cut back into the lead but none more impressive than in the fifth inning. The Cougars loaded the bases courtesy of two walks and a wild pitch but couldn't get anyone across the plate as the inning ended with
Christian Kuzemka (St. Charles, Illinois/) getting out unassisted by the shortstop.
The Cougars got one run back with a run in the sixth inning but that was the last run that they would plate in the series.
Four pitchers saw action in the contest with
Vinnie Venturi (Pacifica, Calif./) taking the loss after 3.0 innings of work.
Up Next
The Cougars are back in the diamond Feb. 21-23 at the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Cougars will open with University of Nebraska-Omaha on Feb. 21 and will also take on Dartmouth and Indiana State over the weekend.
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