April 28, 2001

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C - Western Carolina scored two runs in the 10th inning to win a nine-inning contest, 13-12, in game one, while Donovan Minero blasted three home runs and drove in a school-record nine runs to win a seven-inning affair, 18-4, over North Carolina A&T State Saturday afternoon at Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts improve to 23-22 after the doubleheader sweep, while the Aggies fall to 19-30.

Minero's nine RBI betters the previous school mark of eight, which was held by Matt Raleigh (vs. Davidson in 1990) and Craig Brooks (vs. UNC Asheville in 1985). Minero now has 15 home runs to lead the Southern Conference and, with his four-run blast in the sixth, has three grand slams this season.

After North Carolina A&T used a leadoff home run by Jason Battle and an RBI single by Austin Love to take a 2-0 to start game one, Western looked to be in cruise control after scoring nine runs in the first two innings, scoring three runs in the first inning and six, two-out runs in the second. Freshman Brian Sigmon led the early WCU attack hitting an RBI double in the first and a three-run double in the second. Todd Buchanan added three RBI with a two run double and an RBI walk. Matt Price finished the scoring with a two-run home run.

The Aggies battled back, scoring two runs in the third on solo home run by Adonis Smith and an RBI ground out by Patrick Battle. After exchanging runs to give WCU a 10-5 lead, North Carolina A&T cut the lead to four with an RBI single by Love in the seventh.

North Carolina A&T then took control of the contest. Quincy Jones and Patrick Battle each belted homers in the ninth en route to a five-run frame and give the Aggies an 11-10 lead. However, Buchanan started the home half of the ninth with a solo homer to force extra innings.

The Aggies regained the advantage in the 10th when Justin Hall scored on a ground out by Jason Battle.

Western tied the game in the bottom of the 10th. Ben Rhoney, who entered the game in the seventh inning, hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Todd Roper and scored one batter later on Michael Roane's single. Roane moved to second on a fielding error and went to third on a wild pitch. He later scored on a key mental error by the Aggies. Minero hit a ground ball to third. Bruce Williams threw the ball home, but Hall failed to tag Roane before throwing the ball to first, thinking there was a force play at home.

Robbie Hoover (3-4) picked up the win, allowing no hits or runs with a walk in the 10th inning. Travis Scott (7-6) was saddled for the loss, giving up two hits and two runs (one earned) in a third of an inning.

Sigmon finished game one going 4-for-5 at the plate with four RBI, while Buchanan added four RBI as well, going 2-for-2 with three runs scored. The first game featured 14 extra-base hits. The Aggies had two doubles and four home runs (P. Battle, J. Battle, Jones and Smith), while WCU hit five doubles and two home runs (Price and Buchanan). Love was an impressive 5-for-5, while Smith went 3-for-4 and P. Battle was 3-for-5.

In game two, North Carolina A&T once again jumped out to an early lead. Similar to the first game, WCU answered with a single run in the first and sent 11 men to the plate in a six-run second. Minero capped the second by hitting the first of his three homers, a two-run shot to right-center field.

The Aggies cut lead to 7-3 with two runs in the third, only to have the Catamounts add two runs in the bottom half to make the score 9-3. North Carolina A&T would chase WCU starter Seth Foster after Jones hit his second homer of the day.

Dan Foley (5-2) would allow just two hits and no runs with five strikeouts and no walks in 2.2 innings to tie Jared Burton for the team lead in wins.

While Foley was silencing the Aggie offense, the Catamounts continued to thrive, scoring at least two runs in the each of the final five innings to seal the 18-4 victory.

Minero finished game two with three hits, all home runs, in five at-bats, while Roane was 3-for-4 with four runs scored and two RBI. Schade blasted a pair of home runs in his 2-for-3 performance and Rhoney was 2-for-4 with three runs scored. J. Battle, Smith and Carlos Geathers each had two hits to lead North Carolina A&T. Aggie starter Joe Locklear (2-8) suffered the loss, surrendering seven hits and eight runs in 2-plus innings of work.

Western Carolina and North Carolina A&T will complete the three-game set with a single game on Sunday (April 29). First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at Hennon Stadium.