Feb. 4, 2001

Box Score

Auburn, Ala. - Western Carolina designated hitter Doug Myers went 2-for-4 with a home run, but it was not enough to lift the Catamounts over the 11th-ranked Auburn Tigers, dropping a 5-4 decision at Plainsman Park.

WCU took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but Auburn pushed four runs across the plate in the frame to pull out a three-game sweep of the Cats in the two teams' season-opening series.

Auburn got on the board first when Ernie Carvalho plated Todd Pratt with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second.

The Catamounts answered immediately on Myers leadoff solo home run down the left field line in the top of the third.

Both teams were held in check during the middle innings. Western Carolina would go three up, three down in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings, while the Tigers did the same in the third, fifth and sixth innings.

WCU broke the 1-1 tie in the top of the eight. Myers began the inning with a double to left center. Matt Price, who was 2-for-3 on the day, followed with a single to center, moving Myers to third. Myers would score two batters later on a Todd Roper ground out to third. With two out, Alan Beck drove home Dan Woodley and Price on a single.

Auburn scored its first run in the ninth without the benefit of a hit as its first two batters, Brett Burnham and Scott Schade, were hit by Ryan Foster pitches. The Tigers next two batters, Hayden Gliemmo and John Tyler, walked to make the score 4-2. Foster gave way to Dan Foley, who allowed Schade to score on a wild pitch. Gliemmo tied the game on Javon Moran's infield single. Auburn clinched the sweep as Tyler scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch.

Western Carolina got an excellent pitching performance from starter Ryan Basner. The sophomore went 6.1 innings, surrendering three hits, an earned run and two walks, while striking out three. Foster (0-1), who pitched 1.2 innings, was pinned with the loss. Auburn also received solid starting pitching as Eric Brandon tossed 7.0 innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs and zero walks, while fanning seven. Andrew Skinner (1-0) struck out two Catamounts in a three up, three down ninth to earn the win for the Tigers.

Western Carolina will return to action Feb. 9-11 when it travels to Greenville, N.C., to face the 23rd-ranked East Carolina Pirates. The Catamounts' games on the 9th (3 p.m.) and 10th (1 p.m.) will be broadcast on WRGC (680 AM).

Auburn 5, Western Carolina 4
Feb. 4, 2001 at Auburn, Ala.
Western Carolina      001  000  030    4   7   0     (0-3)
Auburn                010  000  004    5   6   1     (3-0)
Pitchers: WCU - Basner, R. Foster (7), Foley (9).
          Auburn - Brandon, Paxton (8), Skinner (9).
Win - Skinner (1-0). Loss - R. Foster (0-1).
Time - 2:28.  Attend. - 2,548. HR - WCU Myers (1)
Brandon faced 2 batters in the 8th. R. Foster faced 4 batters
in the 9th. Foley faced 1 batter in the 9th.