A Night of Power at Fluor Field
The 2026 Southern Conference Baseball Championship unfolded under bright lights in Greenville, South Carolina, where Samford and Western Carolina traded blows in a high‑scoring affair.
Samford drew first blood, building a 5‑0 lead through the first six innings, highlighted by Luke Boykin’s two‑run homer and Jeffrey Ince’s two‑run double in the sixth.
Western Carolina answered with a pair of two‑run homers, as Mason Holton and Noah Quarless each cleared the fence, the latter adding his 11th home run of the season in the eighth.
Trent Turner paced the Catamounts with a 3‑for‑5 performance, while Jackson Lyda opened the game with a single and reached base twice.
Despite the late rally, Samford’s bullpen held firm, with John Whitney earning the win and Carter Burnette shouldering the loss for Western Carolina.
The Catamounts now drop to the loser’s bracket and will meet UNC Greensboro in an elimination game, while Samford advances to the next round of the tournament.