Cats race past ASU, 9-1

For the second night, the Catamounts raced to an early lead and defeated the Mountaineers, 9-1, on Friday evening in Boone. With the win, the Cats take the series win over the Mountaineers for the second straight year. 

The Cats are now 38-17 overall and 23-6 in league play, setting a new school record for conference wins in a single-season. Friday's win is the 16th-straight SoCon win this season, also setting a new mark for the most consecutive conference wins in a season.

The win was WCU's 11th-straight victory overall, and its 21st in its last 23 games dating back to April 6.

Western's starter Jordan Smith won his sixth straight victory, striking out three against one walk. Freshman right-hander Jonathan Waszak secured his first career save, tossing four scoreless innings.

With Friday's loss, ASU fell to sixth place in the SoCon standings, behind fifth-place Furman and a half-game ahead of Georgia Southern. Depending on Saturday's games, ASU can land anywhere from 5th to 7th seed in next week's tournament.  Should the Mountaineers beat the Cats in Saturday's game, they can clinch the fifth seed. If the Cats sweep the series, and Georgia Southern loses to Charleston, the Mountaineers land in the sixth seed position. If ASU loses and GSU beats Charleston, the Mountaineers fall to the seventh seed.

The Cats and Mountaineers will meet for the series finale on Saturday, at 12 noon, due to impending rain forecasts in Boone.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment below