Feb. 18, 2001

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina (2-7) scored 22 runs during a Sunday afternoon doubleheader versus Wright State (1-2) at Hennon Stadium, but it was only good enough for a split, losing game one, 13-12, and winning game two, 10-6, in seven innings.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Western Carolina was led by freshman Michael Roane. The Charlotte, N.C., native set the tone early, scoring runs in the first and second innings after reaching on a pair of doubles. He would finish the game going 4-for-5 at the plate with four runs scored, two RBI, two doubles, a triple and a stolen base.

Western Carolina's Todd Buchanan also had a solid day at the plate, going 3-for-4, while Doug Myers and Rod Goldston each added two hits.

WCU jumped out to an early 7-0 lead through three complete. The Catamounts put three runs on the board in the first inning after a three-run home run by Alan Beck, tallied a single run in the second and tacked on four scores in the third.

The seven-run cushion was all starting pitcher Dan Foley (1-0) would need to pick up the win. The junior college transfer from San Jose, Calif., pitched five innings, allowing six hits, five earned runs. He additionally struck out five Raiders, while walking none. Robbie Hoover worked the final two innings, allowing one hit--a solo home run by Wright State catcher Nick Shields to start the seventh--and striking out two.

Wright State scored all six of its runs off home runs. In addition to Shields bomb, Raider third baseman Tom Bohr hit a two-out, two-run homer in the fourth and left fielder Andrew Theado hit a three-run shot in the fifth. Wright State starter Chad Brant (0-1) got loss, pitching 2.2 innings and surrendering eight runs, six earned, on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

In the first game was a seesaw battle, seeing six lead changes.

The Raiders drew first blood, scoring a single run in the top of the first. In the bottom half, WCU exploded for four runs with two outs as Myers and Donovan Minero each blasted two-run home runs to left-center field.

Wright State cut the lead to one, scoring two runs in the second. However, the Catamounts gave themselves a 6-3 lead after Goldston double brought home Roane and Ryan McCurry. In the third inning, Wright State scored a single run and the Cats were retired in order to make the score 6-4 in WCU's favor.

In the top of the fourth, the Raiders loaded the bases as each of their first three batters drew walks. A wild pitch and two-run single by Bill Johnson gave Wright State a 7-6 lead, which was later extended to 9-6 when designated hitter Scott Marshall delivered a two-out, two-run single.

Western Carolina regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth, scoring six runs on four hits with two Raider errors and a balk. However it was WCU's miscues in the seventh that would lead to its downfall. With two out, the Raiders plated four runs, all unearned, as the Catamounts committed two errors in the inning.

The Catamounts mounted a pair of late threats. In the eighth, Beck doubled and Buchanan walked, but were stranded. In the ninth, McCurry singled, but was cut down on a game-ending double play on an outstanding defensive effort by Raider third baseman Brad Olinger.

Wright State middle reliver Eric Oberding (1-0) picked up the win in 1.2 innings of work, allowing two hits, two unearned runs and two walks with two strike outs. Brian Stephens earned his first save of the season, allowing zero runs and two hits in three innings. Catamount sophomore Seth Foster (0-1) was saddled with the loss, giving up four hits, four runs (all unearned) in 3.2 innings, while fanning three.

This marks the eighth consecutive season -- and ninth in 10 years -- WCU has opened its home schedule against Wright State. The Catamounts are 22-7 all-time against the Raiders and improved to 62-18 in overall home opening series since 1969.