95 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Chris Norris

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 95 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #95, so we will highlight another assistant coach:

Chris Norris

TITLE Assistant Coach / Special Teams Coordinator












Chris Norris joined the Catamount football coaching staff as the special teams coordinator in early March 2022. Norris spent the five previous seasons working as a football analyst focusing primarily on special teams at the University of Oregon.

Over his football career, Norris has been a part of two national championship squads coming as a player at Nebraska in 1994 and 1995 and six conference championship programs as a coach since 1999. He has mentored two, Top 10 NFL Draft picks, worked with six All-America selections who combined to earn accolades over nine seasons, and 19 combined players to earn all-conference plaudits.

During his five seasons on the sidelines at Oregon, Norris was instrumental in Oregon's success on special teams, teaming with special teams coach Bobby Williams over the last three. As an analyst, Oregon landed a special teams player on the first-team All-Pac-12 Conference in a vote of the league's coaches. In 2019, Brady Breeze claimed the all-purpose/special teams honor following Brenden Schooler being named to the position the previous two seasons.

With the Ducks, Norris mentored punters, Tom Snee and Blake Maimone. Snee averaged 43.64 yards per punt in the 2020 season shortened by COVID-19 – second in the Pac-12 and 28th nationally. Maimone completed his collegiate career with a 43.4-yard average on 107 career punts.

Oregon also excelled in the kickoff return game in 2020, leading the Pac-12 in returns of 30-or-more yards with seven. In 2019, Oregon was the only team in the nation to rank in the top 10 in both punt return average and kickoff return average. The Ducks finished eighth in the nation and second in the Pac-12 with a 26.28 kickoff return average. UO was ninth in the country and third in the league with a 14.33 punt return average.

Before making the move to the Pacific Northwest, Norris spent a season at the University of South Florida serving as a recruiting assistant and special teams advisor. He helped the Bulls to an 11-2 record and a spot in the Birmingham Bowl. Punt returner D'Ernest Johnson claimed second-team All-American Athletic Conference following the season.

Norris' coaching experience includes three seasons at Webber International as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach where he mentored five players to all-conference recognition including all-time leading rusher Darius Page who ran for 1,239 yards in 2015.

He also spent eight seasons on the sidelines at Southeast Missouri State from 2006-13, again coaching running backs and serving as the special teams coach. While at SEMO, Norris coached Henry Harris, the 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American, who shattered numerous school records. Harris, who finished fifth in the overall voting for the Walter Payton Award, became Southeast's all-time single-season leader in rushing yards, all-purpose yards, points scored, total touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns.

Norris helped a SEMO punter earn All-America honors in four of his first six years on the Redhawks coaching staff. Return men flourished under Norris' leadership. Five of Southeast's top-10 career kick return leaders came under Norris' watch.

His experience includes three seasons at Jacksonville (2003-05) where he coached All-Americans in each of his three seasons with the Dolphins including punter Ryan Long in 2003 and punter/kicker Ryan Feely in 2004. Norris also spent three seasons at Tennessee State as special teams coordinator and running backs coach after beginning his college coaching career as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at Northern State in South Dakota.

Norris played fullback at Nebraska (1991-95) helping the Cornhuskers win National Championships in both 1994 and 1995. Nebraska compiled a 47-3 record during his time in Lincoln. During the 1995 season, he suffered a career-ending injury. Despite the injury, he became a student-assistant coach and helped lead the Cornhuskers to a fifth straight Big Eight title and a second consecutive National Championship.

Originally from Papillion, Neb., Norris earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska-Omaha in 1999. He and his wife, Tracee, have one daughter, Breeze.

Memorial Day - Remember the Fallen

 

96 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #96 K.J. Milner

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 96 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight #96, and another defensive lineman:

K.J. Milner

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-4
WEIGHT 265
CLASS Senior
HOMETOWN Hinesville, Ga.
HIGH SCHOOL Bradwell Institute

2020-21 (Junior): Started all seven of the games in which he saw action, missing the final two games of the spring semester … Recorded 15 total tackles including seven solo stops with three tackles for loss with a sack … Credited with four quarterback hurries … Posted a season-best three solo stops at Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 21), including a TFL and two hurries … Made a season-high four tackles against The Citadel (March 13).

2019 (Sophomore): Started 11 of WCU’s 12 games along the defensive line … Recorded 41 total tackles, eighth on the defense but was the top defensive lineman … Posted 15 solo tackles and four tackles for loss including one sack and was credited for a team-best seven quarterback hurries … Recovered a pair of fumbles … Tallied five tackles at N.C. State (Sept. 7) and six tackle assists against Furman (Oct. 26) … Posted a season-high seven tackles against Samford (Nov. 16), charting three hurries and recovering a fumble.

2018 (Freshman): Played in eight of the team’s 11 seasonal games, making three starts along the defensive line … Missed the final three games of the regular season … Finished with 15 total tackles with five solo stops … Tallied two tackles for loss including one sack … Credited with two quarterback hurries and a pass break-up … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) … Recorded his first career tackles at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) … Made his first career start at Furman (Sept. 29), posting a career-high five tackles including four solo stops … Matched his career-best with five tackles at Samford (Oct. 6) … Had one tackle in the triple-overtime game at ETSU (Oct. 27), tallying his first career sack ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Starting his prep career on junior varsity, played on the varsity roster all four years … Recorded 66 total tackles including 32 solo stops with a sack as a senior, earning him 2-AAAAAA First Team Defense plaudits … Had a fumble recovery and returned an interception for a touchdown … Was selected to the 2018 Blitz Border Bowl and the 2018 “War of the Border” High School All-Star football game … Earned the football “Captain’s Award” … Posted the highest grade point average on the team and saw time at tight end as a sophomore ... High school coach was Ross Couch … Joined the National Honor Society as a junior … Also participated in track & field as a prep, placing third in the shot put, and was a four-year letter winner in varsity boys basketball as a center and power forward.

Personal: Full name is Willie Keith Milner Jr., but goes by K.J. … Is the son of Francesca and Willie Keith Milner Sr. … Was born in Wurzburg, Germany … Has three younger siblings, Andre, Trey, and Xavier … His father owns a music store and his mother is a United States soldier.

97 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Chazmon Scales

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 97 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #97, so we'll highlight an assistant coach:

Chazmon Scales

TITLE Assistant Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Safeties

Chaz Scales joined the Catamount football coaching staff in early July 2021 as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Scales, a former football student-athlete at Arkansas State comes to Cullowhee after serving two seasons on staff at Central Arkansas in the same capacity.

Scales helped Central Arkansas to the 2019 Southland Conference Championship and competing in the fall of 2020, to a 5-4 overall in his second season. Scales guided Cameron Godfrey to Fall All-Southland Conference honors after leading the Bears with 51 tackles including 31 solo stops, adding a pair of interceptions, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He also worked with first-team All-America selection Robert Rochelle, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, and second-team All-Southland honoree Juan Jackson.

While at Central Arkansas, Scales was selected as a participant in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. He interned with the New York Giants through mini-camp and team training camp where he assisted with the defensive backs.

Prior to accepting the position at UCA, Scales was an assistant coach at Tusculum for the 2017 and 2018 seasons where coached the cornerbacks and was the pass game coordinator while also serving as the co-special teams coordinator. ScaleS mentored All-South Atlantic Conference and All-Region cornerback Martez Thompson, All-SAC selection Malik Goodman, and two-time All-South Atlantic performer Dee Alford who went on to sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

With Scales on staff, the Pioneer defense led the conference in turnovers with 13 interceptions and a league-best 12 fumbles recovered, while also pacing the SAC in pass defense in limiting opponents to just 170 yards per game through the air.

Scales earned his coaching start in 2014 as a defensive graduate assistant at the University of West Georgia where he was a part of a 12-3 season that included a semifinal appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Wolves finished tied for third in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) and finished the year ranked sixth in the nation according to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

Scales instructed West Georgia safety Carlos Hutton, who led the GSC with 13 passes defended and was second with four interceptions, garnering USA College Football All-America plaudits. In addition to Hutton, cornerback Laronji Vason earned All-GSC honors as Vason notched 72 stops, two interceptions, and a pair of fumble recoveries under Scales.

In 2015, Scales served as a quality control assistant working with the cornerbacks and special teams at Valdosta State helping the Blazers to nine victories and a NCAA Division II playoff berth, finishing the year ranked 14th in the final AFCA poll. Defensive back Kenny Moore thrived under Scales, tallying three interceptions including two returned for touchdowns in earning USA College Football All-America and All-GSC plaudits.

In 2016, he served as running backs coach at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

As a player, Scales was a four-year contributor on defense at Arkansas State where he was a part of two consecutive Sun Belt Conference championship teams as a junior and senior, earning berths in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He helped the Red Wolves win nine-straight games in 2011 and seven consecutive to end his senior season. Scales was a standout player at Centennial High School where he was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 5A All-State team following a senior season in which he accounted for 2,400 yards and 29 touchdowns as the quarterback for the Cougars.

Originally from Franklin, Tenn., Scales is a 2012 graduate of Arkansas State with a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies.

98 days to WCU Football Kickoff - Kade Bell

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 98 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

No player is currently assigned to #98, so we'll highlight an assistant coach:

Kade Bell

TITLE Assistant Coach / Offensive Coordinator / QBs

Kade Bell was named the offensive coordinator at Western Carolina in the spring of 2021, coming to Cullowhee from Tusculum University, where he served as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator for the Pioneers. Highly regarded as one of the finest up-and-coming offensive minds in collegiate football, Bell will also coach the Catamount quarterbacks.

Bell helped lead Tusculum to the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Spring Football Championship as his offense averaged 533.4 yards and scored 37.6 points per game in a 4-1 seasonal record. The Pioneers averaged nearly 400 passing yards per game to lead the SAC, scoring 15 touchdowns through the air in 2021. In addition, the unit added 139.2 yards per game on the ground and 12 additional scores.

Graduate transfer quarterback Rogan Wells, who began his playing career with Bell at Valdosta State, led the SAC in pass completions (117), pass attempts (189), passing yards (1,852), passing yards per game (370.4), and touchdown passes (15) in the 2021 spring season.

Originally from Jacksonville, Fla., Bell previously coached at Valdosta State University, where he served three seasons on the coaching staff under his father – and current WCU head coach Kerwin Bell. The younger Bell was on the Blazers' staff from 2016-18, where he was as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He helped guide the Blazers to a perfect 14-0 record and an NCAA Division II national championship in 2018. VSU led the nation in scoring offense that season averaging an outstanding 52 points per game and broke the Division II and Gulf South Conference record for most points scored in a single season (728).

The Blazers also led the country in yards per play (7.9), points per play (.78 - NCAA II record), yards per rush (7.2), and passing touchdowns (50). Valdosta was also fourth in the country in red-zone offense (.901), fourth in total offense (524.0 ypg), and fourth in passing efficiency (167.37).

Under Bell's tutelage at Valdosta State, Wells earned the 2018 Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was twice runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy. Valdosta State's quarterbacks amassed 4,855 total offensive yards and accounted for 69 total touchdowns while throwing only six interceptions. In addition, the 2018 VSU offense was one of the most balanced in college football producing 262 rushing yards per game along with 261 passing yards per game while scoring 50 passing touchdowns along with 40 rushing scores.

The VSU offense produced five All-GSC performers that season, including Wells, wide receivers Lio'undre Gallimore and Brian Sands, running back Jamar Thompkins, and all-purpose back Seth McGill. Thompkins was also named the 2018 GSC Freshman of the Year.

In 2017, Bell served as the offensive passing game coordinator with the Valdosta State program while also mentoring the Blazers' receiving corps, including All-GSC standout Dallas Baldner. Over the 20 combined games that he was the chief play-caller for Valdosta State, the Blazers posted a stellar 19-1 record.

Also among Bell's coaching experience is a year on the coaching staff at the University of South Florida in 2019, where he was an offensive analyst with the Bulls' passing attack.

Bell earned his start as a graduate assistant coach in 2016, where he coached the quarterbacks as Valdosta State went 8-2 during the regular season and advanced to the NCAA II Playoffs. The Blazers averaged 311 passing yards per game, tops in the Gulf South and eighth-best in the country.

Bell played collegiate football at Jacksonville University from 2011-2015, where he was coached by his father. He was a four-year starting quarterback and finished his career with 9,613 total offensive yards and accounted for 93 touchdowns. He earned All-Pioneer Football League honors and led the Dolphins to a 2014 conference championship.

Bell graduated from Jacksonville in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports management and later completed his master's degree in public administration from Valdosta State in 2018. He and his wife Charlotte were married in February 2019.

99 days to WCU Football Kickoff - #99 Ronald Wilson

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown"

It's now 99 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, on Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today, we'll highlight a defensive lineman-

#99 Ronald Wilson

POSITION Defensive Line
HEIGHT 6-2
WEIGHT 355
CLASS Redshirt Sophomore
HOMETOWN Mocksville, N.C.

COLLEGE Gardner Webb
HIGH SCHOOL Davie County HS









Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Gardner-Webb during the summer of 2021; Gardner-Webb: Played in nine games as a freshman in 2019 … Recorded five total tackles including four solo stops … Made his collegiate debut at Charlotte on Aug. 29, 2019 … Had a career-best three total tackles against Hampton on Oc. 12, 2019

High School: Four-year varsity performer for the War Eagles … Finished senior season with 37 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback pressures … Made 28 stops as a junior, along with one sack and a pass deflection … Caused one fumble in 2017 … Played at Davie County (N.C.) High for head coach Tim Devericks … Also played basketball as a prep.

The 100 Day Countdown to WCU Football Kickoff

Welcome to the twelfth annual Catamount Football "100 days to WCU Football Kickoff Countdown" 

We hope you have enjoyed the countdown in past years, as much as we do bring it to you. During the countdown, we'll highlight the player whose number corresponds to that day in the countdown.

Since the official 2022 Catamount Football roster has not yet been published, we'll use the 2022 Catamount Football Preseason Roster for jersey numbers, until the new roster is posted, at which point we'll switch to the official roster for the remainder of the countdown.

-------------------------

It's now 100 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, Buccaneer Field in Charleston, SC

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day.  

As is our custom, we'll kick off day 100 with the Catamount Head Football Coach Kerwin Bell. 

Kerwin Bell 

Title: Head Football Coach

Hometown: Mayo, Fla

Alma Mater:  University of Florida
Graduated:  1987

An accomplished player who worked his way from walk-on to All-American to the National Football League, and a 12-year veteran head coach who won a combined four conference championships and the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship, Kerwin Bell was named the 14th head football coach at Western Carolina University by Director of Athletics Alex Gary on April 27, 2021.
 
“We talk every day about Catamount Athletics having a winning mentality and the confidence to believe we can bring championships to our university,” said Gary. “Kerwin is a proven winner and has shown the ability to build successful programs. We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Cullowhee.”
 
Bell comes to Cullowhee having served as the offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida under head coach Charlie Strong in 2019. He most recently walked off the field as a head coach following the 2018 NCAA Division II national championship, leading the Valdosta State Blazers where he coached for three seasons, twice making playoff appearances.
 
“I am excited and honored to be named the new head football coach at Western Carolina University,” said Bell. “We are coming here to win championships on the field and help mentor the young men who are in our program. I am ready to get started building this into a championship program that the Catamount Nation can be proud of.”
 
Over a 12-year head coaching career, Bell led the football programs at Valdosta State (2016-18) and Jacksonville University (2007-15). He did this coming on the heels of a 13-year playing career in professional football that included several stops in the NFL and the Canadian Football League.
 
Bell served three seasons as the head coach at Valdosta State where he also guided the offense. He led the Blazers to a 27-7 record during his tenure including a school-record 15 straight victories, two Division II playoff appearances, and won both a conference and a national championship in 2018. He was named the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year and the Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year after leading VSU to a 14-0 record – the first unbeaten season in program history that included a thrilling 49-47 victory over Ferris State in the D-II National Championship game. Picked fifth in their conference in the preseason and the No. 3 seed entering the playoffs, the Blazers finished No. 1 nationally in the final AFCA Division II poll.
 
Bell’s 2018 offense led the nation in scoring (52.0 ppg), ranked second in first downs (341), and was fourth in total offense (523.9 ypg), red-zone offense (.901), and pass efficiency (167.37). The Blazers scored 728 points on the year, the most in NCAA Division II history, as they posted 7,334 yards (3,676 rushing/3,658 passing) and 7.9 yards per play on the year.
 
Within Bell’s system, VSU sophomore quarterback Rogan Wells finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing touchdowns (38) and points responsible for per game (21.4 ppg), 10^th in passing yards (3,075), 12th in passing efficiency (160.6) and 25^th in total offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732 yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.
 
Additionally, senior offensive linemen Jeremy King was the runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award presented to the most outstanding Division II lineman.
 
Bell led VSU to runner-up conference finishes in his first two years guiding the program and went 8-3 with a playoff appearance in his first season at the helm in 2016 as the Blazers led the nation with 27 interceptions on defense.
 
Prior to Valdosta, Bell led Jacksonville University for nine seasons, guiding the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program to a 66-35 record and three Pioneer Football League (PFL) championships. Serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well as head coach, Bell was named the 2008 PFL Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award after leading the Dolphins to a 9-4 seasonal record and conference title.
 
He also led Jacksonville to a school-best 10-1 record and conference championship in 2010 as the Dolphins led the nation in total (486 ypg) and scoring (42.2 ppg) offense. JU also posted a 9-2 overall mark and won a conference title in 2014.
 
Before taking over the Jacksonville program, Bell led Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla., for six seasons (2001-06), earning a Florida 2B state title in 2005 and runner-up finish in 2006. His coaching career began in earnest at the end of his professional playing career as he served as the offensive coordinator for two seasons while still a player for the Toronto Argonauts (2000-01).
 
Originally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he completed over 57 percent of his 953 pass attempts for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. A former walk-on, Bell concluded his collegiate career as the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship, and both a first-team All-SEC selection and All-America honorable mention in 1985, a season that saw the Gators earn the programs first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the Associated Press poll. Garnering a second honorable mention All-America honor in 1986, Bell was a 1987 team captain and earned the program’s Fergie Ferguson Award.
 
Bell was ranked the No. 26 Greatest Gator of all-time from the first 100 years of football at Florida in 2006 by The Gainesville Sun. Bell later served as a graduate assistant for the 1990 season under Steve Spurrier at Florida after earning a degree in psychology in 1987.
 
He was selected in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13-year professional career that saw stops with the NFL teams in Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis as well as stops in the Canadian Football League, where he passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns in nine seasons, and the World League of American Football (WLAF).
 
Married in 1986 while both students at UF, Bell and his wife, Cosette, have three children: Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley.
 

SoCon Baseball (Week #6 - May 19-21) ***Updated***

On Thursday, all the home teams lost, except Samford. Wofford won at least a share of the 2022 SoCon Regular Season Title.

Thursday's scores: 
UNCG 8 - Western Carolina 2
Mercer 4 - Samford 6
Wofford 19 - VMI 2
The Citadel 9 - ETSU 2


The standings after Thursday's games:
1. Wofford (14-4-1)
2. Samford (11-8)
2. Mercer (11-8)
4. UNCG (10-9)
5. Western Carolina (9-9-1)
6. ETSU (9-10)
7. VMI (6-13)
8. Citadel (5-14)

***Friday Update***

On Friday, the Spartans won their series with Western Carolina, Samford took the series with Mercer, and Wofford squeezed out a win over VMI.  The Bucs split their series with The Citadel in a win in Johnson City.

Friday's scores: 
UNCG 5  -  Western Carolina 3
Mercer 1  -  Samford 5
Wofford 4  -  VMI  3
The Citadel  6  -  ETSU  13

The standings after Friday's games:
1. Wofford (15-4-1)
2. Samford (12-8)
3. Mercer (11-9)
3. UNCG (11-9)

5. ETSU (10-10)
6. Western Carolina (9-10-1)
7. VMI (6-14)
8. Citadel (5-15)

if it ended today... (May 20th) - The SoCon tournament, day 1

Day 1 - Wednesday, May 25 - Greenville's Fluor Field - on ESPN+
Game 1  #5 ETSU  vs.  #8 The Citadel - 3 p.m.
Game 2  #6 Western Carolina  vs. #7 VMI - 7 p.m.

- Remember, day 1 is a play-in game, lose and you go home... double elimination stats with day 2

UNCG Spartans

The Catamounts return home for the final conference series of the season to host the UNC Greensboro Spartans in Hennon Stadium.  


Who: UNCG Spartans
When: Thursday - Saturday (May 10-21)
Time: 5:00 pm; 5:00, 2:00 pm
Where: Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: none
TV/Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: WCU live stats
Nickname: Spartans
Colors: Gold (yellow), White, Blue

The Series: The Cats own a 36-41 record against the Spartans and are 12-14 in games played in Cullowhee. The Cats are 3-2 in the last 5 games played between the two teams.

Head Coach: Billy Godwin, UNC Greensboro announced in August of 2019 that Billy Godwin has been hired as baseball head coach. Godwin had spent the previous five years with the New York Yankees, overseeing all amateur scouting in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Godwin's record vs. WCU: 2-1
Moranda's record vs. UNCG: 21-18

UNCG's 2022 record: 25-27 overall, 16-14 home, 9-11 away, 0-1 neutral, 9-9 SoCon
UNCG's 2021 record: 27-25 overall, 11-10 home, 14-14 away, 2-1 neutral, 12-17  SoCon

The Spartans come into the game having lost their last series against Samford in Birmingham. 

The Catamounts enter the weekend series in fourth place, behind third-place Samford (10-8) and just ahead of the fifth-place tie between ETSU and UNCG at 9-9. The Catamounts can finish as high in the standings as third, needing at least two wins over the Spartans and two Samford losses in its series with Mercer. UNCG (25-27, 9-9 SoCon) has won its last four league series, winning 2-of-3 against Samford, VMI, and ETSU and sweeping The Citadel. The Spartans have won four of their last six games overall on the season.

Both teams enter the weekend series following midweek losses. WCU rallied from a four-run deficit in the top of the ninth inning before falling in extras at Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, while UNCG lost in seven innings, 20-2, at NC State in Raleigh.


Projected Starting Pitcher Matchups:

Thursday, May 19 – 5:00 p.m. 

UNCG – Austin Parsley (8-4, 4.03 ERA; 87.0 IP, 77K, 12BB)
WCU – Jacob Corn (3-2, 5.12 ERA; 38.2 IP, 38K, 17BB)

Friday, May 20 – 5:00 p.m.
UNCG – Jared Mathewson (4-5, 4.73 ERA; 78.0 IP, 53K, 23BB)
WCU – Gavin Mortenson (5-7, 5.30 ERA; 69.2 IP, 56K, 25BB)

Saturday, May 21 – 2:00 p.m.
UNCG – TBA
WCU – TBA

at Gardner-Webb

Who: Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
When: Tuesday (May 17)
Time: 4:00 pm
Where: John Henty Moss Stadium, Boiling Springs, NC
Radio: none
TV/Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: GW Live Stats
Nickname: Runnin' Bulldogs
Colors: Scarlet and black
Conference: Big South Conference

The Series: The Cats own an 18-9-1 record against the Runnin' Bulldogs and are 9-4 in games played in Boiling Springs. The Cats have won the last four games in the series, breaking a 4-game skid against the Bulldogs.

Head Coach: Jim Chester is in his third year as the head coach of the Gardner-Webb baseball team after taking over the program in June 2019. Chester led Gardner-Webb to 29 wins in 2021, his first full season at the helm. That included a 27-13 mark and a tie for second place in the Big South Conference standings, Gardner-Webb's highest finish ever since joining the league prior to the 2009 season. 

Chester's record vs. WCU: 0-3
Moranda's record vs. GWU: 11-5-1

GWU's 2022 record: 20-32 overall, 15-15 home, 5-17 away, 0-0 neutral, 10-11 Big South
GWU's 2021 record: 29-23 overall, 16-9 home, 12-12 away, 1-2 neutral, 27-13 Big South

The Runnin' Bulldogs were picked 5th in the 11-team Big South preseason poll. GWU is coming off a series swee[ over Presbyterian in Boiling Springs.

SoCon Baseball (Week #6 - updated Sunday)

 ***Friday Update***

Wofford continues to lead the SoCon with a 15-4 drilling of Western Carolina, VMI beat Mercer for their fourth straight conference loss, ETSU handled UNCG, and Samford clobbered the Citadel 8-2.

Today's results:

ETSU 5 - UNCG 2
Samford 8 - Citadel 2
Western Carolina 4 - Wofford 15
VMI 10 - Mercer 9

The standings after Friday's games:
1. Wofford  (13-3)

2. Samford  (10-6)

3. Mercer  (9-7)

3. ETSU  (9-7)

5. Western Carolina  (8-8)
6. UNCG  (7-9)
7. VMI  (6-10)
8. Citadel  (2-14)

***Saturday Update***

In a big shake-up today, the Catamounts evened their series with Wofford with a 9-2 win in Sparkle City. UNCG split their series with ETSU with a big win over the Bucs, Samford also has a split with the Citadel, as the Bulldogs pulled off a one-run win in Charleston. Mercer also has a split with the Keydets, as the Bears pulled off a win in Macon.

Today's results:

ETSU 2 - UNCG 15
Samford 4 - Citadel 5
Western Carolina 9 - Wofford 2
VMI 1 - Mercer 4

The standings after Saturday's games:
1. Wofford  (13-4)

2. Samford  (10-7)

2. Mercer  (10-7)

4. ETSU  (9-8)

4. Western Carolina  (9-8)
6. UNCG  (8-9)
7. VMI  (6-11)
8. Citadel  (3-14)

***Sunday Update***

The Citadel won in Charleston to win their series with Samford, UNCG picked up a win to win their series over ETSU, and also win in Macon to pick up a series win over VMI.  Western Carolina and Wofford played to a 2-2 tie as weather delays forced the calling of the game at the top of the 8th inning.

Today's results:

ETSU 11 - UNCG 15
Samford 0 - Citadel 10
Western Carolina 2 - Wofford 2
VMI 7 - Mercer 8

The standings after Sunday's games:
1. Wofford  (13-4-1)

2. Mercer  (11-7)

3. Samford  (10-8)

4. Western Carolina  (9-8-1)

5. ETSU  (9-9)

5. UNCG  (9-9)
7. VMI  (6-12)
8. Citadel  (4-14)

On The Road to Greenville -  

                                 

at Kennesaw State

The Catamounts take to the road after a successful homestand against the Mercer Bears. On the road for a midweek game, the Cats travel to Kennesaw, Ga. to face the Kennesaw State Owls. The Owls were on a four-game win streak over the Cats until last season when the Cats broke the streak with a 12-11 victory in Cullowhee.  

Who: Kennesaw State
When: Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
Time: 5:00 pm
Where: Stillwell Baseball Stadium, Kennesaw, GA
Radio: none
TV/Video: YouTube
Live Stats: KSU Live stats
Nickname: Owls
Colors: Black, Gray, Yellow
Conference: ASun

Head Coach: Ryan Coe, 1st season. The Owls welcome Coe back after nearly 12 years as a scout for the Texas Rangers, joining the MLB team following a 15-year spell as a player and coach at KSU under newly-retired head coach Mike Sansing.

Moranda's record vs. KSU: 8-7
Coe's record vs. WCU: 0-0

KSU's 2022 record: 27-21 overall, 15-8 home, 12-13 away, 0-1 neutral court, 15-9 ASun
KSU's 2021 record: 29-11 overall, 15-7 home, 12-12 away, 1-3 neutral, 13-8 ASun
The Series: The Cats are 13-8 overall against KSU, and 5-4 in games played in Kennesaw. The Cats broke a 4 game KSU win streak by the Owls last season in Cullowhee/

The Owls were picked 5th in the ASun preseason poll. KSU comes into the game having lost 4 of their last 5 games. 

Happy Mother's Day from Purple & Gold

 

2022 Catamount Club Renewal

 

SoCon Baseball (Week #5 - updated Saturday)

This weekend the Southern Conference moves into week number five of conference play on Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 8, 2022. All eight teams are playing conference games after out-of-conference contests this week. Western Carolina, Wofford, and VMI picked up big midweek wins, while ETSU and the Citadel saw cancellations of their games.  

Both Western Carolina and the Citadel face big tests, as they face the two teams tied for first place in the conference, with the Cats facing the Mercer Bears in Cullowhee and the Bulldogs traveling to Spartanburg to face the Wofford Terriers. Two teams tied for third place in the conference meet in Birmingham, as the Bucs travel to face the Samford Bulldogs.  

This week's conference series are:
#1 Mercer at #5 Western Carolina
#7 VMI at #5 UNCG
#3 ETSU at #3 Samford
#8 Citadel at #1 Wofford

The current standings are:
1. Mercer (9-3)
1. Wofford (9-3)
3. ETSU (7-5)
3. Samford (7-5)
5. Western Carolina (5-7)
5. UNCG (5-7)
7. VMI (4-8)
8. Citadel (2-10)

***Friday Update***

The big news of the night is that after a weather delay, the number 5 Catamounts knocked off #1 Mercer by a 9-2 final score in Cullowhee.  The Terriers remain atop of conference play with Mercer's loss and the Wofford win at home over the #8 Citadel Bulldogs. Samford now controls the #3 spot with their win over ETSU and UNCG dominated VMI 12-1 in Greensboro. 

Friday's scores:
Mercer 2 - Western Carolina 9
VMI 1 - UNCG 12
ETSU 2 - Samford 6
Citadel 6 - Wofford 8

The current standings after Friday's games:
1. Wofford  (10-3)

2. Mercer  (9-4)
3. Samford  (8-5)

4. ETSU  (7-6)
5. Western Carolina  (6-7)
5. UNCG  (6-7)
7. VMI  (4-9)
8. Citadel  (2-11)

***Saturday Update***

Possibly playing its best baseball of the season, Western Carolina wins the series with Mercer, 15-5. Samford also picks up a series win over ETSU beating the Bucs 7-1.  The Keydets of VMI picked up a win today over UNCG for a series split with the Spartans, the final score 3-1. Wofford and the Citadel did not play on Saturday due to graduation schedules and will play a doubleheader on Sunday.  

Saturday's scores:
Mercer 5 - Western Carolina 15
VMI 3 - UNCG 1
ETSU 1 - Samford 7

The standings after Saturday's games:
1. Wofford  (10-3)

2. Mercer  (9-5)
2. Samford  (9-5)

4. Western Carolina  (7-7)

4. ETSU  (7-7)
6. UNCG  (6-8)
7. VMI  (5-9)
8. Citadel  (2-11)

***Sunday Update***

The Cats playing their best baseball this season pulled off the sweep of former #1 Mercer by a walk-off win in the eleventh inning in Cullowhee, the final score of 10-9 Catamounts. The Terriers also swept their series with the Citadel, winning a doubleheader today in Spartanburg. UNCG won their series with VMI by winning the rubber match with the Keydets today in Greensboro. Samford was going for a sweep over ETSU in Birmingham, but the Bucs pulled out a 12-8 win to spoil the Bulldog's run. 

Sunday's scores:
Mercer 9 - Western Carolina 10
VMI 3 - UNCG 7
ETSU 12 - Samford 8
Citadel 1 - Wofford 11

Citadel 6 - Wofford 8

The standings after Sunday's games:
1. Wofford  (12-3)

2. Mercer  (9-6)
2. Samford  (9-6)

4. Western Carolina  (8-7)

4. ETSU  (8-7)
6. UNCG  (7-8)
7. VMI  (5-10)
8. Citadel  (2-13)

On the Road to Greenville...

                               

WCU Baseball vs. Mercer Bears

The Cats remain in Cullowhee, after a midweek win over USC Upstate, to face the league-leading Mercer Bears. 

Who: Mercer Bears
When: Friday - Sunday, May 6-8, 2022
Time: 5:00 pm; 2:00 pm; 1:00 pm
Where: Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network (Friday & Saturday)
TV/Video: ESPN+   (Sunday Only)
Live Stats: WCU Live stats
Nickname: Bears
Colors: Black & Orange

Fan Message Board: MU Bear Down

Head Coach: Craig Gibson. Since taking over for the legendary Barry Myers in 2004, Gibson (591-407) has guided the Bears from the depths of the Atlantic Sun Conference to the top of the Southern Conference, all while establishing Mercer as one of the most respected programs in the southeast. Consistency has become the standard under Gibson, as Mercer is one of just three NCAA Division I programs with 35 wins in each of the last ten years, joining LSU and Vanderbilt.

Moranda's record vs. Mercere: 10-14
Gibson's record vs. WCU: 13-9

Mercer's 2022 record: 35-9 overall, 22-4 home, 13-5 away, 0-0 neutral court, 9-3 SoCon
Mercer's 2021 record: 35-22 overall, 21-8 home, 14-12 away, 0-2 neutral, 18-9 SoCon

The Series: The Cats have a 10-14 overall record against the Bears, and are 2-8 in games played in Cullowhee. The Cats are only 1-4 against the Bears in the last 5 games played and are currently on a 3-game skid to the Bears dropping all three games last season.

The Bears are coming off a series win in Johnson City over the ETSU Bucs. On the mound, the Bears boast the most victories in the SoCon this season – 34 – with the best collective earned run average at 4.35 and lowest opponent batting average at .246 overall, limiting the opposition to just 369 combined hits to rank second in the SoCon. Mercer pitchers have combined for 437 strikeouts, tops in the league, with WCU, ranked third with 394 K's on the season.  

Projected Starting Pitcher Matchups:
Friday, May 6 | 5:00 p.m. | Coverage: Live Audio (CSN) | Live Stats
Mercer – RHP Ryan Lobus (5-2, 3.04 ERA; 56.1 IP, 55K, 16 BB)
WCU – RHP Zach Franklin (4-1, 2.20 ERA; 45.0 IP, 52K, 10 BB)

Saturday, May 7 | 2:00 p.m. | Coverage: Live Audio (CSN) | Live Stats
Mercer – RHP Josh Farmer (5-0, 3.83 ERA; 47.0 IP, 39K, 15 BB)
WCU – RHP Gavin Mortenson (3-7, 5.76 ERA; 54.2 IP, 43K, 22 BB)

Sunday, May 8 | 1:00 p.m. | Coverage: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Mercer – RHP Josh Harlow (6-2, 4.78 ERA; 52.2 IP, 67K, 20 BB)
WCU – TBA

USC Upstate (mid-week game)

Western Carolina hosts USC Upstate in a midweek game in Cullowhee on Wednesday, hoping to avenge a 3-9 loss to the Spartans in February 2022. 

Who: USC Upstate Spartans 

When: Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 

Time: 6:00 pm 

Where: Hennon Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: none 

TV/Video: ESPN+

Live Stats: WCU Live stats

Nickname: Spartans 

Colors: Green, White, Black 

Head Coach: Mike McGuire is in his second season as the head baseball coach at USC Upstate. McGuire joins USC Upstate after seven seasons as head coach of the NCAA Division I baseball program at Morehead State University in Kentucky. Under McGuire's leadership, the team compiled an overall record of 228-187 and a conference record of 118-91, including an average of 37 wins per season over the past five years. During the past five seasons, McGuire led the Eagles to 183 victories, which ranks in the top-40 nationally. The team defeated 10 nationally-ranked opponents and were champions of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and NCAA Regional Participants in 2015 and 2018.

Moranda's record vs. Upstate:  1-1

McGuire's record vs. WCU:  1-1 

USC Upstate's 2022 record: 27-17 overall, 20-7 home, 7-9 away, 0-1 neutral court, 13-5 Big South

USC Upstate's 2021 record:  37-16 overall, 18-5 home, 19-9 away, 0-2 neutral, 28-12 Big South

The Series: In the eleventh overall meeting between the two teams, the Cats are 7-3 against the Spartans in a series that started in 1986. The Cats had won the last 6 games in the series with the Spartans until Upstate broke the string with a 9-3 win over the Cats back in February in Spartanburg, SC.

The Spartans claimed a program-record 37 victories a season ago, picking up wins over Clemson and No. 12 Georgia Tech during a record-setting season. Upstate captured a program-best 28 conference victories in 2021, claiming the No. 2 seed in last season's Big South Tournament following a 37-16 (28-12 Big South) campaign. Last season, Upstate was one of the top teams in the nation at both the plate and on the mound, concluding the season ranked in the top-25 in the NCAA in both batting average (24th; .298) and earned run average (16th; 3.68). 

After 37 wins last season, the Spartans were picked second in the Big South Conference preseason poll. The Spartans are coming off a series win against GWU (2 of 3 games) and have won 6 of their last 7 games.

Probable Starting Pitchers 

Western Carolina | RHP Nick Hyde (0-0; 8.62 ERA) 

USC Upstate | RHP Trey Miller (1-3; 5.44 ERA)