March 14, 2001

Box Score

Knoxville, Tenn. - Tennessee, ranked as high as 19th nationally, scored two runs in the second and fifth innings to pull out a 6-3 victory over Western Carolina Wednesday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Volunteers' (18-2) 1-0 lead was quickly erased when Catamount sophomore Ben Rhoney hit a two-run home run in the top of the second, plating Todd Buchanan. Rhoney finished the day going 1-for-3 with two RBI, marking his first multi-RBI game of the season. Rhoney has enjoyed success at the home of the Vols, going 2-for-2 with three RBI last season in Knoxville.

Tennessee regained it advantage in the bottom half with two runs of its own to make the score 3-2. The Vols added two more runs in the fifth.

Western Carolina (8-12) cut the lead to 5-3 in the top of the seventh. Rhoney ledoff with a walk and, after a passed ball, advanced to third on a pinch-hit single by Doug Myers. Ryan Schade followed with a sacrifice fly to right to bring home Rhoney. However, Tennessee regained its three-run advantage in the bottom half of the inning. Ryan Case, who singled and stole second, scored on a Hal Bibee, Jr. single to provide the final margin.

The Catamounts were led by sophomore Alan Beck, who registered his 10th multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 and hitting his 10th double of the season. WCU starting pitcher Ryan Basner fell to 1-4 on the season.

Western Carolina will return to action this weekend, hosting a three-game series versus Southern Conference foe UNC Greensboro. First pitch at Hennon stadium Friday is set for 3 p.m., while games on Saturday and Sunday will begin at 1 p.m.