Cats take series opener over Charleston

Western Carolina made the final out of the game at the home plate on a controversial call that saved the Catamounts' win over Charleston, 5-4 on Friday night.

Charleston tied the game 4-4 on a another controversial play, in the bottom of the 8th.  Brandon Murray hit a shot to left center field where the ball got stuck under the padding in the fence. Ben Boykin was allowed to score on the play, tying the game, even though Boykin had been on first base when Murray's shot hit the fence. Head Coach Moranda argued that since the Boykin's hit was ruled a ground rule double, Murray should only be able to advance to third, however Murray's score was allowed from first.

Bradley Strong broke the 4-4 tie with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth that scored J.D. Long. Charleston nearly tied the game up in the bottom of the ninth inning as pinch-runner Devon Reed rounded third on the Cougar's Blake Butler infield single for Charleston's potential tying run, however Butler was called out at home for the final out of the game.

Both teams will return to the diamond today at 2 p.m. Left-hander Morgan McKinney will start for Western, while Charleston will counter with left-hander Jake Zokan.


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