March 11, 2001

Box Score

Charleston, S.C. - The College of Charleston used a three-run second inning to defeat Western Carolina, 5-3, Sunday afternoon at Patriots Point Park.

The Cougars (12-8, 4-2 SoCon) also pulled out a series win with the victory, after spliting single games on Friday and Saturday with the Catamounts (8-11, 2-3 SoCon).

Western jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first. Rod Goldston delivered a one-out double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by the Cougar catcher Matt Lauderdale when Alan Beck stole second.

The College of Charleston scored all the runs they needed for the win in the bottom of the second. Short stop Nick Orlandos started things with a single to left field and advanced to second when Catamount starting pitcher Robbie Hoover hit John McCarty with a pitch. Lauderdale atoned for his first-inning error with an RBI single. McCarty and Lauderdale were brought home two batters later on a triple by Jasha Balcom. Balcom, Lauderdale and Mitch Miggenburg led the CofC attack with two hits each.

Western mounted a threat in the seventh, loading the bases with one out. Emery started the frame by getting hit by a pitch and moved to second on a one-out walk to Donovan Minero. Todd Roper loaded the bases with a single to right field. Goldston followed with a single, however, the ball hit Roper causing an automatic out and keeping the bases loaded. The Cougars escaped unscathed after Beck hit into an inning-ending fielder's choice.

Cougar starting pitcher Matt Rackers (2-1) earned the victory, allowing five hits and one run in 8.0 innings pitched. Hoover (1-3) took the loss for WCU, allowing six hits and four runs in 3.0 innings.

Western Carolina will set out of league play on Wednesday when it travels to Knoxville to face nationally-ranked Tennessee. The Vols are 16-2 and coming off a three-game sweep at Florida this past weekend. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.