GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — Western Carolina defeated UNC Greensboro 4-3 on Thursday at Fluor Field at the West End, improving to 36-22 while the Spartans fell to 23-33.

Davis Wright earned the win with five innings of three-hit, scoreless relief, striking out four. Hunter Shuey tossed eight innings for UNC Greensboro, allowing no hits but three earned runs with eight strikeouts.

Jacob Budzik put the Spartans ahead in the first inning with a two-run homer. Wyatt Stanley answered for Western Carolina with a solo shot in the second. UNC Greensboro extended its lead in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk to Ethan Brittain.

Jaylen Jones homered in the fifth to cut the deficit to 3-2. Later in the fifth, an error on a grounder by Jack Godfrey allowed the tying run to score unearned. Trent Turner delivered the decisive blow in the eighth, doubling home the go-ahead run.

Shane Huntsberger recorded the final out for the save. James Fordham took the loss, allowing three runs in 3 2/3 innings. Budzik finished 1-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Jones and Stanley each homered. Mason Holton went 0-for-4. The game featured only three hits by the Catamounts but six by the Spartans.