March 18, 2001

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C - Western Carolina held off a late rally to defeat UNC Greensboro, 11-9, Sunday afternoon at Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts (10-13, 4-4 SoCon) won two of three games to win the weekend series. The Spartans' record now stands at 12-10, 6-3 SoCon.

Western scored three runs in the first and three runs in the second to jump out to a 6-0 lead. Freshman Doug Myers did the damage in the first, hitting a two-out, three-run home run. In the second, Alan Beck followed suit with a two-out, three-run blast to left field.

After a solo home run to start the third by UNCG's Doug Schutt, Western answered with five runs in the bottom half of the inning. Donovan Minero ledoff with a double and scored one batter later on Ryan McCurry's single to right-center field. Michael Roane singled, Todd Roper reached on an error to load the bases. Rod Goldston forced home McCurry on a walk and scored, along with Roper and Roane, on a three-run double by Beck.

Catamount starter Dan Foley (3-1), after surrendering the homer to Schutt, retired 12 of his next 13 batters, including 11 straight. He experienced some trouble in the seventh and had little support from his defense. Foley allowed four hits with one Spartan reaching on an error before leaving the game. Two singles off relief pitcher Robbie Hoover and two more Catamount errors allowed for a seven-run inning, cutting the WCU lead to 11-8 after seven.

Western Carolina closer Ryan Foster recorded two strikeouts, both looking, to end the Spartan rally in the seventh. Foster would earn his second save of the season, pitching the final 2.2 innings, allowing three hits, one unearned run and zero walks, while striking out five.

Five Catamounts registered at least two hits as the team pounded out 15 in the contest. Todd Buchanan led the way, going 3-for-4, while Roper, Beck, Minero and McCurry each added two. Beck set a career-high with six RBI.

UNC Greensboro was able to get back in the game thanks to an outstanding pitching performance by relief pitcher Jay Metzger. The freshman lefthander entered the game in the fifth inning and recorded three-up, three-down innings in each of his four innings pitched. Offensively, the Spartans were led by Schutt's 3-for-4 performance at the plate with three runs scored, while Chris Cook was 2-for-5 with three RBI. UNCG starting pitcher Scooter Michael (2-2) took the loss, surrendering 10 hits and eight runs in 2.0 innings.

Western Carolina will resume action with a three-game, weekend series with defending SoCon champion Georgia Southern (Mar. 16-18) at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The teams will play single games on Friday (3 p.m.), Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).

NOTES: Western Carolina has now hit 22 home runs in 23 games this season. Last year, WCU only hit 23 homers in 53 contests. Alan Beck has seven home runs and 11 doubles this season. Rod Goldston led WCU with six homers last season and Morgan Frazier was the team leader with 16 doubles. Western Carolina will play its next eight games at home, including three games with Georgia Southern (Mar. 16-18), one with nationally-ranked Tennessee (Mar. 27), three with Appalachian State (Mar. 31-Apr. 1) and one with nationally-ranked Clemson (Apr. 3).