GREENVILLE, N.C. – Appalachian State University baseball staged a furious comeback in the eighth inning, scoring six runs off three hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch and benefiting from two throwing errors to down former SoCon rival Western Carolina, 7-3, on Saturday afternoon.
Dating back to last season, the win gives the Mountaineers (5-5) their 12th come-from-behind victory, while also being the ninth time they've scored the winning run in their final at-bat. It also gives the Black and Gold their 61st win over the Catamounts (4-5) all-time – having played them more than any other program at 152 times.
Appalachian actually put runs on the board first in the third inning when Chandler Seagle singled through the left side before Matt Vernon fired one to left field. Tyler Stroup laid down a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt to advance both runners before Conner Leonard hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Seagle.
Western Carolina finally plated a runner in the fourth on a double RBI before extending its lead to 3-1 in the seventh.
With one out in the eighth, the Mountaineers relieved Colin Schmid from pitching and put him in to pinch hit. Schmid immediately produced, firing one through the right side to reach base and start the rally. Avery Jackson then drew a walk before Calev Grubbs was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Seagle then drew a four-pitch walk to bring home Schmid. Vernon then got the final of his game-high three hits on the day, lasering one to the shortstop who could only stop the ball from reaching the outfield, allowing Robert Langdon, who pinch ran for Jackson, to reach home. Firing one through the left side next, Stroup plated Grubbs before Leonard hit his second sacrifice fly of the day to center field to allow Seagle to tag and score.
The inning was then extended when Brian Bauk pushed a ball to the Catamounts' third basemen, who overthrew first base, allowing Bauk to advance to second and both Stroup and Vernon to be the final runs of App State's comeback.
Reed Howell provided relief in the final inning as WCU popped up to left field and then grounded into a 3-6-1 double play to end the game. Schmid would receive the win, striking out seven batters in eight innings.
Stroup and Leonard both finished with strong offensive outings. Stroup ended with a double as part of a 2-4 outing and Leonard had a team-high two RBI on 1-3 batting. Grubbs and Seagle also drew two walks in their efforts.
App State also protected the bases well on the day, catching three of four would-be base stealers, including two in the top of the fifth by catcher Seagle.
The Mountaineers return for the final day of the Keith LeClair Classic on Sunday, March 5 when they go toe-to-toe with host-team No. 9 East Carolina. First pitch is scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast by ECU TV and available on the TuneIn app (WNCT). For more details and links head to the baseball schedule page HERE.
