The High Point University baseball team had its four-game win streak halted on Tuesday afternoon as visiting Western Carolina handed the Panthers a 15-8 loss at Coy O. Williard Sr. Stadium.

The Panthers (23-20) tallied 14 hits but stranded 12 baserunners in their final non-conference home game of the season. Western Carolina (27-12), who have won 14 of their last 15 games including five straight, posted 17 hits in the contest.
 
The Catamounts struck first plating a run in the second to take a 1-0 lead. Adam Baker drew a two-out walk and then scored on an RBI double by Blake Murphy that hugged the leftfield line.

WCU upped their lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the third. Barrett Shaft's leadoff walk proved costly as he stole second and scored on a double by Steve Strausbaugh. After stealing third, Strausbaugh crossed the plate on a groundout to second by Jonathan Greene.

High Point scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the third cutting the deficit to 3-1. Alfie Wheeler got hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and moved to second on a groundout before coming around to score on an RBI single through the right side by Bill Manion.

In the fourth Zach Scott relieved HPU starter Jamie Serber (0-2). Scott surrendered four runs on six hits in the frame as WCU broke things open extending their lead to 7-1. Baker led off with a single and Murphy followed with a two-run homer to left. After a groundout, Western got four straight singles and an sacrifice fly by Kenny Smith to push across the other two runs of the inning.

Western Carolina added another score in the fifth as Baker singled and then scored two batters later on an RBI single by Shaft.

HPU got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth to make the score 8-3 and chase WCU starter Brock Thornburg one out shy of earning the win. Jeff Cowan got a one-out single and moved to second on a groundout by Manion. Randy Schwartz then delivered his Big South leading 50th RBI with a single to centerfield. Tucker Stobbe was hit by a pitch and Matt Schlanger drew a walk to load the bases.  J. Williams followed with a walk forcing home Schwartz. Catamount reliever Bryan Corbett (2-1) ended the Panther threat inducing a groundout on his first pitch.

WCU added four more runs in the sixth to move back ahead 12-3.

Cowan notched a two-out single in the sixth and scored on Schwartz' second RBI single of the day as HPU answered with a run. HPU freshman reliever Artie Clyde recorded the first three-up, three-down performance by either team's pitching staff in the seventh.

The Catamounts closed their scoring with three runs in the eighth. With two outs, WCU pinch hitter Andy John singled and moved to second on a walk by Nick Liles followed by another walk by Shaft that loaded the bases. A wild pitch allowed one run to score then pinch hitter Mitchell Hatley doubled in two more.

Matt Gantner drew a four-pitch walk to start the eighth for High Point. The Panthers loaded the bases with one out as Max Fulginiti walked and Schwartz singled. Stobbe worked the count full before blasting a shot over the leftfield fence for HPU's first grand slam of the year setting up the final scoring margin.

Schwartz and Williams led HPU at the plate with three hits each while Cowan, Manion and Stobbe all finished with two hits. Stobbe drove in four runs and Schwartz plated a pair. Baker went 3-for-4 with four runs scored to pace the Catamounts.

Serber suffered the loss for High Point after allowing three runs on four hits in three innings. Corbett picked up the win with 2.1 innings of one-run relief.

High Point returns to action on Wednesday night when they visit No. 4-ranked North Carolina at 6 p.m., at Boshamer Stadium.