March 23, 2001

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Sophomore Todd Buchanan hit a solo home run and a two-run double as part of an eight-run ninth inning in leading Western Carolina (11-13, 5-4 SoCon) to a 13-12 victory over Georgia Southern (15-9, 5-5 SoCon) Friday afternoon at Hennon Stadium.

Buchanan ledoff the Catamount ninth with his first home run of the season. WCU would use three walks and three singles to push three more runs across the plate, cutting the Eagle lead to 12-9. Rod Goldston's sacrifice fly brought home Ryan Schade and ground ball by Alan Beck, who would reach on a throwing error by GSU third baseman Rocky Baker, scored Michael Roane, making the score 12-11. With Todd Roper on third and Beck on first, Buchanan delivered a two-run double to right-center field to provide the final margin, 13-12.

Georgia Southern jumped out to a 3-0 lead, as each of its first five batters reached with hits. Jemel Spearman drove in leadoff hitter J.R. Revere for the first run on the game on a ground-rule double to straight away center field. Designated hitter Scott Henley, who was 5-for-5 on the day, plated Chris Walker and Spearman with a single to center.

The Catamounts answered with three runs of their own in the bottom half. Roper reached on a error and moved to second on a Goldston sacrifice bunt. Beck and Buchanan walked and each moved up 90 feet on a double steal. After a ground out, Beck stole home to make the score 3-2. Buchanan came come later in the at-bat as designated hitter Doug Myers had an RBI single to right.

Western put single runs on the board in the third and fourth innings. In the third, Ryan McCurry, who was 3-for-3 with two walks, delivered a two-out single to score Buchanan. In the fourth, Roper made the score 5-3, scoring on a double by Goldston.

Georgia Southern would tie the game in the top of the fifth. Henley started the frame with a single to right and scored two batters later on a home run by catcher A.J. Zickgraf.

After allowing Goldston's double in the fourth, Eagle starting pitcher Brett Lewis would retire 11 of his next 15 batters. While Lewis was shutting down WCU's offense, the Georgia Southern offense exploded for three runs in the seventh, three runs in the eighth and a single run in the ninth. The Eagles began the seventh with back-to-back home runs by Henley and Matt Herring. The third run came when Brandon Burnsed scored on a throwing error on attempted pick-off at third. In the eighth, Henley had a one-out, RBI single to left, bringing home Spearman, and scored one batter later on Herring's second homer of the game. Georgia Southern's final run was scored when Baker reached on a walk, stole second and came home on a single by Walker.

Western's Robbie Hoover (2-3) was credited with the win, pitching the final 2.1 innings. He surrendered four runs on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Catamount starter Jared Burton gave up a career-high 12 hits in 6.2 innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) and two walks with four strikeouts.

Georgia Southern relief pitcher Jared Comstock (2-3) was saddled with the loss, giving up one run and one hit in 0.1 innings. Lewis would exit the game after seven complete, allowing 10 hits, five runs (two earned) and five walks with five strikeouts. Scott Tolbert recorded a three-up, three-down inning in the eighth, but faced four batters in the ninth without getting an out. Jeff deRijke would face three batters without getting an out in the ninth before giving way to Comstock.

Buchanan, who was 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored, joined McCurry in getting three hits for the Catamounts. Roper, Donovan Minero, Brian Sigmon, and Schade each added two safeties. Georgia Southern was paced by Henley's 5-for-5 performance and four RBI.

"This is what this young team needed," said head coach Todd Raleigh. "Our guys stayed focused and showed a tremendous amount of heart. They did not panic and did not quit. It was just a phenomenal comeback."

The victory marked the first time Western Carolina had won a game this season when trailing after the seventh inning. The Cats entered the contest with an 0-11 mark when trailing after seven innings and an 0-12 when trailing after eight.

Western Carolina and Georgia Southern will return to action on Saturday for a single game. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., at Hennon Stadium.