GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Walker Fox launched two home runs, including a decisive solo shot in the ninth inning, and the Western Carolina bullpen delivered five perfect innings of relief as the Catamounts edged the Troy Trojans 4-3 on Friday afternoon at Clark–LeClair Stadium.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, was a tightly contested pitchers’ duel defined by missed opportunities for Troy, which grounded into three double plays to stifle rallies.

Western Carolina (7-2) struck first in the third inning. Nate Spees and Kyle Holton singled, and Cole Jones followed with an RBI single to right field to plate Spees for a 1-0 lead.

Troy (4-5) answered in the fourth against Catamounts starter Davis Wright. Kole Cavill was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a balk and to third on a groundout before scoring on Steven Meier’s RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Catamounts responded immediately in the top of the fifth. Jones doubled, and two batters later, Fox connected for his first homer of the day, a two-run blast to center field off Trojans starter Tommy Egan to extend the lead to 4-1. The inning was marred by an injury to Troy center fielder Meier, who was replaced by Luke Markham.

The Trojans mounted their most serious threat in the bottom of the fifth. Nolan Book doubled and scored on Gavin Schrader’s RBI single. Schrader later scored on a sacrifice fly by Mike Piasecki, pulling Troy within 4-3. With a runner on and one out, Western Carolina manager made the pivotal move, summoning reliever Mason Snyder from the bullpen.

Snyder escaped the jam and was utterly dominant, retiring all 12 batters he faced over four perfect innings. He struck out four, extinguishing any Troy momentum and allowing his offense to seek an insurance run.

That run came from Fox in the ninth. Facing Trojans reliever Cooper Ellingworth, Fox powered a solo home run to deep right field, his second of the game, providing a critical cushion.

Closer Owen Austin worked a perfect ninth inning, securing the save and the victory for the Catamounts.

Egan (0-1) took the loss for Troy, allowing four runs on five hits over five innings. Wright did not factor in the decision for Western Carolina, giving up three runs on six hits in four innings. Snyder (1-0) earned the win with his flawless relief effort.

Fox, who entered the game in a 2-for-12 slump over his previous four contests, finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Jones also had two hits and an RBI for Western Carolina. Schrader led Troy with two hits and an RBI.

The most important sequence of the game was the dual impact of Fox’s fifth-inning homer and Snyder’s subsequent entrance in the bottom half. Fox’s blast restored a two-run lead immediately after Troy had closed the gap, but Snyder’s immediate shutdown performance was decisive. He entered with a one-run lead, a runner on, and the heart of Troy’s order looming. By retiring every batter he faced, he completely neutralized the Trojan offense and preserved the narrow margin, allowing Fox’s ninth-inning homer to become the final, necessary blow.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-5 Western Carolina victory, though its ELO system gave Troy a 68% probability to win. The Catamounts improved to 7-2 overall, while Troy fell to 4-5.

Western Carolina is scheduled to host Rutgers on Saturday. Troy will travel to face East Carolina.