April 18, 2001

Box Score

Asheville, N.C. - Western Carolina exploded for 10 runs in the first inning en route to a 16-1 win over homestanding UNC Asheville at Greenwood Field Wednesday afternoon.

The Catamounts (20-19) sent 15 men to the plate in the opening inning. WCU first baseman Todd Buchanan led the assault in the first with two doubles and five runs batted in. The five RBI was a career high for the sophomore. The Roswell, Ga., native finished the day with a 3-for-6 performance at the pate. Buchanan's two-run double gave the Cats a 2-0 lead and he then capped off the inning with a three-run double to give WCU a 10-0 lead before the Bulldogs ever came to bat. The Catamounts scored their 10 runs on eight hits and three walks off two UNCA pitchers.

Todd Roper started the game with a line drive off UNCA starting pitcher Steven Cook's (2-2) arm, which found its way to center field. After a fly out and a walk to Alan Beck, WCU had six consecutive hits, started by Buchanan's two-run double. A fly-out and two walks later, Buchanan cleared the bases and ended the scoring with his second double of the inning.

Western Carolina used four pitchers to limit UNC Asheville (11-24) to just one run on six hits. Starter Dan Foley (4-2) pitched the first three innings to get the victory. He allowed just three hits and one run. Relievers Jeff Skinner, Robbie Hoover and Jared Burton pitched the final four innings and allowed the Bulldogs just three hits the rest of the way.

Also having big days at the plate for the Catamounts were center fielder Donovan Minero, third baseman Ryan Schade, designated hitter Brian Sigmon and catcher Matt Price. Minero was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Schade went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Sigmon and Price each added two hits and an RBI, while scoring twice.

UNC Asheville scored its lone run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from Matt Neils. Senior catcher Brett Muhlhan led the Bulldogs at the plate with two hits.

The Catamounts added a pair of runs in the fourth, thanks to a pair of Bulldog errors and an RBI single by Rod Goldston, and scored four runs in the seventh. Minero, Sigmon and Schade began the seventh with consecutive hits. Schade's double to left-center scored Minero and Sigmon. Schade and Price, who walked after Schade's double, would score on consecutive singles by Dan Woodley and Doug Myers.

Western Carolina will return to league wars when it travels to Southern Conference rival Furman for a three-game series starting Friday. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m., at Furman Baseball Stadium.