Valpo was leading Western Carolina 4-3 in the top of the third inning of Tuesday afternoon's game when rain moved into the Cullowhee, North Carolina area.

The Crusaders jumped out to a 4-0 first-inning lead thanks in large part to a bases-clearing double off the bat of Dustin Beasley (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point [Cisco]). Josh Clark (Granada Hills, Calif./Hillcrest Christian [Riverside City]) supplied Valpo with its fourth run on an RBI ground out that scored Beasley.

Western Carolina sliced the deficit in half in its half of the opening frame after Bradley Strong sent a two-run homer over the right-field wall.

The Catamounts added a run in the second inning on a Brett Pope RBI ground out.

Freshman Connor Kaucic (Chardon, Ohio/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) threw two innings for the Crusaders. The left-hander was responsible for the three runs, but he also recorded two strikeouts without walking a batter. 

Nate Williams made the start for Western Carolina. Three of the four runs he surrendered were earned. Williams punched out three batters, but also walked three.

Valpo had its first two men reach base in the top of the third after Nolan Lodden (West Des Moines, Iowa/West Des Moines Valley [Heartland CC]) and Nate Palace (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian) both were hit by pitches. The pair advanced into scoring position following a passed ball.

With Daniel Delaney (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Thousand Oaks [Fresno State]) at the plate, the rain picked up and forced the umpires to call for the tarp. After a rain delay of over two hours, the teams agreed to resume the game Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm ET/3 pm CT.

Live stats and audio will be available courtesy of Catamount Sports. Links are available at ValpoAthletics.com.