NCAA Baseball Clemson Regional Preview: Western Carolina Catamounts

Western Carolina Catamounts

Record: 30-29 (15-9 SoCon)

After winning the SoCon championship in Greenville, WCU will be returning to South Carolina to face Clemson in the Clemson Regional Friday Night. The Catamounts come from Cullowhee, North Carolina, which is about an hour and thirty-five minutes from Clemson. The Catamounts have faced Clemson twice this season. On March 30, they dropped a 10-8 game to Clemson in Cullowhee, and on April 12, Clemson knocked off the Catamounts in a 10 inning thriller at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Clemson and Western Carolina share a history, as former Tiger Head Coach Jack Leggett was the head man at Western Carolina from 1983-1991 before taking an assistant job at Clemson. Clemson holds a 61-16 record against the Catamounts.

The Catamounts are led by head coach Bobby Moranda. Moranda took over the program in 2007, coming from Georgia Tech where he was an assistant. This is WCU's 12th postseason appearance in history, and their first since 2007.

Western Carolina's roster is headlined by their First Baseman Matt Smith. The Junior was named the MVP of the SoCon tournament after hitting .591 in tournament play. Along with Smith, RS Junior Right Fielder Bryson Bowman brings power to the lineup, leading the team with 19 home runs. The Tigers and Catamounts will face off Friday Night at 7:00pm. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.