Feb. 28, 2001

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Sophomore left fielder Alan Beck was 4-for-5 with three RBI and four runs scored in leading Western Carolina to a 19-10 victory over UNC Asheville Wednesday afternoon at Hennon Stadium.

Down 6-2 heading into the home half of the fifth, the Catamounts scored nine runs on eight hits with one costly Bulldog error to take an 11-6 advantage, one which they would not surrender.

In the frame Rod Goldston, who was 3-for-6 with three RBI and three runs scored, started the inning with a double down the right field line and scored one batter later on Beck's single to center. With one out, Ben Rhoney plated Beck with an RBI triple to right field. Rhoney scored when Ryan McCurry delivered a single to center with two outs. WCU would add two more hits to load the bases. Bulldog relief pitcher Marshal Reese appeared to be out of the jam when Todd Roper hit a fly ball to left. However, a dropped fall ball cleared the bases and, after Goldston blasted a two-run home run to center field, lead to five unearned runs.

UNC Asheville hung tough throughout, scoring at least one run in six of its nine innings, including a three-run eighth to make the score 13-10.

WCU responded with six runs in the bottom of the eighth to provide the final margin. The Catamounts once again took advantage of a Bulldog fielding miscue as all six of the runs in the inning were unearned. Four of Western's six runs in the inning came on one swing when Donovan Minero ripped a grand slam to left field for his fourth homer of the season and the team's first grand slam of the season.

Robbie Hoover, who entered the game in the top of the fourth , improved to 1-2 on the season, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing three runs, three hits and two walks. Sophomore Ryan Foster followed with 1.2 innings of work, allowing just one run and one walk. Starter turner reliever Ryan Basner earned his first save of the season, pitching the final 1.2 innings. He only allowed one hit, while striking out two. Basner, who struck out the only four batters he faced in his last outing (vs. Delaware), has made his last three appearances out of the pen for the Cats.

Catamount second baseman Roper was making his second start after missing six games with a fractured hand. He responded by going 3-for-6 at the plate with two RBI, three runs scored and two doubles. McCurry and Ryan Schade also had multiple hits for WCU, going 2-for-5 and 2-for-4, respectively.

UNC Asheville was led by designated hitter Derek Anderson. The freshman was 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Three Bulldogs each added two hits, including Jason Ronai (2-for-4), Corey Mercer (2-for-5) and Nick Jaska (2-for-3). Reese (0-1) was the tough luck loser for the UNCA, surrendering six runs, all unearned, in 0.1 innings.

The two teams combined for 14 extra base hits, including eight doubles, a triple and five home runs. WCU followed its season's trend by scoring most of its runs in the fifth inning. With nine runs in the frame today, the Catamounts have now scored 34 of their 87 runs -- or nearly 40 percent --?in the fifth inning.

The Catamounts and Bulldogs will meet on three additional occasions this season. WCU will once again host UNCA next Wednesday (March 7) at 3 p.m. The Cats will play at UNC Asheville on April 18 (3:00 p.m.) and face the Bulldogs at McCormick Field on May 2 (3:00 p.m.).

Western Carolina will return to action Saturday (March 3) when it opens its Southern Conference schedule with a three-game set at Wofford. The teams will play a single game on Saturday, with first pitch set for 7 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Sunday (1:00 p.m.).