Cullowhee, N.C. – For a second-consecutive day, Western Carolina fell behind Big Ten foe Maryland by two runs after the top half of the first inning. And for the second time in the two series meetings, the Catamounts hit a homer as part of a rally in the home half of the opening frame to lead after one inning.

However, on Saturday afternoon, the Terrapins erupted offensively, storming back from the 5-2 deficit to even the best-of-three nonconference series with the Catamounts with a historic 35-12 win over WCU at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

Maryland (3-2) scored in all nine innings on Saturday for a school-record 35 runs coming on 27 base hits while also capitalizing on three Catamount errors and a combined 17 freebies with 15 walks and two hit batters in the offensive showcase. The six-run second inning by the Terrapins was answered with a solo marker in the bottom of the frame to make it 8-6 through two complete. However, a decisive seven-run third sparked a 23-to-2 scoring edge for the visitors between the third and seventh innings, capped by an eight-run seventh.

Seven Terps collected multi-hit games including six starters and one reserve. Among the 27 base knocks, 11 went for extra bases including five doubles, two triples, and four home runs that featured a pair of grand slams by Alex Calarco – his second of the series and third of the season – and one by reserve Paul Jones II in the seventh inning.

Western Carolina (2-4) finished with 12 runs on a dozen hits, four going for extra bases with three doubles and the second two-run homer of the series by Hayden Friese. On any other day, the 12 run / 12 hit performance might be good enough to secure a victory – just not this day for the home squad that goes into Sunday’s series rubber match looking to bounce back. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. in a game that will air on ESPN+ (paid subscription required).

WCU had three players post two-hit outings including Friese (2-for-3) who reached three times with the homer, a single, and a fourth inning walk. Mason Holton, who started on the mound but was chased after 1.2 innings, helped his own cause early with a pair of singles in a 2-for-4 effort. Cole Jones (2-for-3) doubled, and Trent Turner (2-for-5) reached three times with a pair of singles and a walk.

Freshman Trey Spees dotted the base paths four times with two RBI, one on his lone single in the eighth inning and the second on his third of three walks. Redshirt freshman Wyatt Stanley (1-for-5) tallied a two-RBI double in his first trip to the plate. Yates Sikes walked twice in late-game action. Sophomore Elijah Smith collected his first collegiate base hit on a double, adding a sacrifice fly on one smacked to deep left with the bases loaded as he flirted with his first round-tripper.

Holton (0-2) took the loss after the six-run second inning charged him with seven total runs allowed, five of which were earned. He recorded one of WCU’s seven strikeouts. Ryan White fanned two for his two-thirds of an inning of work with Bryant Kimbrell striking out a pair in tossing the final inning. All told the Catamounts used nine different pitchers with no one tossing more than an inning and two-thirds.

On the mound, Maryland starter Joey McMannis was chased after two innings of work. Jack Wren (1-0) the first of just four relievers used by the Terps, scored the victory after limiting WCU to just one run on two hits with a pair of strikeouts over four innings out of the bullpen. The backend of Maryland’s staff issued eight of the 11 walks by Terrapin pitching that accompanied five strikeouts.

The series finale is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

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