March 27, 2001

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C - Tennessee, ranked sixth nationally, scored nine runs over the final four innings to defeat Western Carolina, 15-13, Tuesday afternoon at Hennon Stadium.

Tennessee scored two runs on three doubles in the ninth. All-American shortstop Chris Burke (3-for-6) delivered the first two-bagger and, after a ground out, Jeff Christensen brought home Burke with his 10th double of the season. Dan Wilson followed with an RBI double of his own to provide the final margin. Senior Will Curtiss (3-0) earned the win, pitching two scoreless eighth and ninth innings with three strikeouts.

The Vols (25-3), down 13-6 after five innings, scored a single run in the sixth when Matt Sternberg hit a leadoff double and scored two batters later on a Stevie Daniel sacrifice fly. In the seventh, catcher Javi Herrera cut the deficit to 13-9 with a two-out, two-run home run to center field, plating Adam Smith.

Tennessee tied the game at 13-13 after scoring four runs on four hits with two costly Catamount errors in the eighth. A Daniel single and an error by the Catamount second baseman on Christensen's ground put two runners on with one out. WCU relief pitcher Dan Foley gave way to Jared Burton (4-2), who made his first appearance out of the bullpen this season. Wilson greeted Burton with a single to drive home Daniel. Dennis Gomez followed by hitting into a fielder's choice. On the play, WCU's committed its second error of the inning when trying to complete the double play, allowing Christensen to score. Smith, who reached on a single, and Gomez would score on a two-out, RBI double by Hall Bibee Jr.

Western Carolina (12-15) scored runs in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings to take the 13-6 lead. In the second, Matt Price singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI double by Ryan Schade. In the third, the Catamounts took advantage of a UT error. Roper, who hit a leadoff single, was put in scoring position when Burke misplayed a Todd Buchanan ground ball. Donovan Minero singled home Roper. Minero would get caught in a rundown when attempting to steal second, but not before Buchanan crossed the plate to make the score 6-3.

The Catamounts tacked on two runs in the fourth on a throwing error and an RBI single by Rod Goldston before breaking the game open with an eight-run fifth. Western sent 11 men to the plate in the inning and used three home runs to do most of the damage. Minero started the frame with a double down the left-field line and scored on Matt Price's first home run of the season. A walk to Schade brought Joe Bertolino out of the Vol bullpen. Bertolino immediately recorded an out, but surrendered a walk and was the victim of an error, which brought home Schade. A walk to Goldston loaded the bases and set the stage for a Buchanan grand slam. Minero, who now leads the Southern Conference with nine home runs, capped the scoring with a solo home run. It marked the first WCU hit back-to-back homers and the second time this season it had three homers in an inning.

Smith led the Volunteer offensive attack with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate with three runs scored. Herrera paced UT with four RBI, while Christensen (2-for-4) added three RBI and four runs scored. The Catamounts had four players with at least two hits, including Roper (4-for-5), Minero (3-for-5), Price (2-for-4) and Schade (3-for-4).

Western Carolina starter Ryan Foster, making his first career start, pitched a career-high 5.1 innings, allowing 10 hits, seven runs and three walks with two strikeouts. Normally the Catamount closer, the sophomore's previous long was going 3.0 innings versus East Tennessee last season.

The game featured 33 hits (15 for extra bases) and, of the 28 runs scored, only 16 earned runs.

Western Carolina will return to action with a three-game set versus SoCon rival Appalachian State this weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader at Hennon Stadium on Saturday (Mar. 31), with first pitch set for noon, followed by a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.