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Despite six shutout innings from the Panther bullpen to end the game the High Point University baseball team dropped a 6-5 game to Western Carolina Wednesday at Williard Stadium. Freshman Steven Schils took the loss in his first career start, allowing all six of the Catamount runs.

“This is a disappointing loss because we put up six consecutive zeros to end the game,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “To put a positive spin on it, we saw good things out of the bullpen and that is what we will need to finish out the season. We couldn't execute in easy offensive situations. We have seven regular season games left; hopefully we can build off the pitching and fight to do better offensively.”

Schils gave up six runs, five earned, in 2-2/3 innings in his first start. He recorded three strikeouts. Freshman Preston Hatcher pitched 5-1/3 innings for his first win, walking three Panthers without a strikeout.

The Catamounts put up four runs in the first inning on four hits and one HPU error. Trevor Collias had a one-out, two-run homer in the inning before Schils was able to get out of trouble.

The Panthers answered with two runs in the bottom of the first with Steve Antolik and Max Fulginiti picking up RBIs.

WCU added one run each in the second and third innings. Schils left the game with a runner on second in the third inning and Mike Caldwell got Bryant Noteboom to strikeout to end the inning. Caldwell picked up two more strikeouts in the scoreless fourth inning.

Pablo Rosario reached on an error to lead off the fifth and scored on Mike Mercurio's sacrifice fly to left field to make it a 6-3 Catamount lead.

Freshman Kyle Wigmore inherited the bases loaded with only one out in the sixth inning but got Tyler Kirkpatrick to strike out swinging and Ross Heffley to ground out to the shortstop to end the inning without the Catamounts extending their 6-3 lead.

A two-run sixth cut WCU's lead to 6-5. Andrew Bartlett singled to score Murray White IV and Sal Pezzino came up with an pinch-hit RBI single that scored Zach Tessier.

Sophomore Al Yevoli pitched a perfect seventh inning and Jared Avidon took the mound in the eighth inning, trying to keep the Catamounts from extending their 6-5 lead. A fielder's choice and stolen base put Austin Schultz at second base with two outs. Matt Johns singled to right field but Antolik threw Schultz out at home to end the inning.

Mikel Rodenberg pitched a scoreless ninth inning. In total, six HPU relievers kept Western Carolina scoreless in the final six innings of the game, allowing just six hits.

Brandon Johnson kept HPU from scoring in the final three innings for his first career save. HPU stranded eight base runners in the game.

White went 2-4 with a run scored on the night and Matt Gantner went 1-3 with two walks.

The Panthers fall to 24-25 with the loss. It was HPU's final home game of the season as the Panthers wrap up the regular season with seven road games. High Point will travel to Clinton, S.C. for a Big South weekend series with Presbyterian. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.