May 12, 2001

Lexington, Va. - Ryan Schade went 3-for-4 with a home run to lead Western Carolina (29-24, 17-11 SoCon) to a 5-4 victory in game one of a doubleheader with VMI on Saturday. However, the Keydets (15-31, 8-18 SoCon) rallied to win gmae two, 15-8.

Schade, who was 1-fo-2 in game two, now has a 20-game hitting streak, three shy of tying the WCU record held by Scott Lyman. The junior third baseman accounted for four of the team's five runs in game one, scoring three runs and hitting his sixth homer of the season, all coming during his hitting streak. Schade scored twice and drove in two runners in game two.

Western starter Dan Foley, the reigning SoCon Pitcher of the Week, had another outstanding effort, improving to 7-2 on the season. The San Jose, Calif., junior struck out a career-high seven batters in 6.0 innings. Foley allowed four hits and two runs, while walking none. Robbie Hoover held the Keydets scoreless for his two innings, allowing one hit and stiking out three. Ryan Foster recorded the game's final two outs to earn his sixth save of the season.

Western broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth when Schade delivered a one-out double. Three batters later, Donovan Minero plated Schade with an RBI single. The Catamounts extended their lead to 3-0 in the sixth, taking advantage of two Keydet miscues to score two runs. Michael Roane, who reached on an error, and Schade, who singled, would both score on a Minero sacrifice fly hit deep to right-center field.

VMI cut the lead to one in the bottom half on Chris Catanzaro's two-run home run.

Schade gave WCU a 4-2 lead in the eighth, hitting what proved to be the game-winning home run. The Cats added an insurance run in the ninth when Todd Roper hit a sacrifice fly to score Ben Rhoney. VMI made the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth. A walk to Catanzaro and a one-out double by Rob Riley chased WCU relief pitcher Joe Camac. Catanzaro made the score 5-3 on a groundout, but Riley was stranded at third as Foster recorded the final out.

In addition to Schade's offensive production, Minero was 2-for-3 with three RBI to pace the Catamounts.

In game two, Western jumped out to 1-0 lead when Minero hit an RBI single to score Schade. However, Riley gave VMI it first lead of the day, 3-1, with a three-run home run to right in the bottom of the third.

Western reclaimed the lead, scoring four runs in the top of the fourth and sending nine men to the plate. The first four Catamounts to bat in the frame reached base and scored, including back-to-back singles by Doug Myers and Roper and back-to-back walks to Roane and Schade.

The Keydets took the lead for good in the bottom half, sending nine batters to the plate as well. VMI had five hits in the inning, to knock out WCU starter Ryan Basner (4-8). The Catamount righthander surrendered nine hits, eight runs and four walks in 4.1 innings.

The Cats rallied in the sixth. Myers hit his sixth home run of the season and WCU had men on first and second with one out before a double play ended the threat. VMI sent eight men to the plate in the bottom half, tacking on four more runs to take a 12-6 lead.

Western added a run in the eighth and Minero hit his 17th home run of the season in the ninth. The Keydets scored two in the seventh and one in the eight to provide the final margin of 15-8. VMI poinded out 16 hits in the contest, including six doubles and two home runs.

Offensively for WCU, Minero and Brian Sigmon were each 3-for-5, while Roane, Myers and Roper each added two hits.

Western Carolina and VMI will each wrap up their respective regular seasons with a single game on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at Padget Field.