May 16, 2001

Charleston, S.C. - Alan Beck and Donovan Minero were each named to the First Team All-Southern Conference team today. Earlier in the day, Western Carolina fell, 7-5, to UNC Greensboro in the first round of the Southern Conference Tournament, played at Riley Park in Charleston, S.C.

Beck, a sophomore outfielder, led WCU with a .382 batting average and was among the SoCon leaders in home runs (13), RBI (57) and slugging percentage (.717). Minero became the 11th Catamount in the last 14 years to lead the SoCon in home runs with 17. The junrio center fielder additionally had 72 RBI and a .371 batting average in his first season with the Cats.

Prior to the announcement, WCU dropped a 7-5 decision to UNC Greensboro.

The Spartans jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, scoring single runs in the first and second innings. UNCG padded it lead with a run in the fifth.

The Catamounts cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom half of the fifth. Doug Myers led off the inning with a line drive off pitcher Everett Hancock, knocking the Spartan starter out of the contest. Todd Roper followed with a sacrifice bunt, but reached first on a throwing error. Michael Roane successfully moved the runners to scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Alan Beck delivered a two-out single.

UNCG chased Catamount starter Dan Foley with three runs in the seventh. Foley fell to 7-3 on the season, allowing 10 hits and six runs with one walk and a career-high seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings.

Western cut the lead to 6-4 with a pair of runs in the eighth. Todd Buchanan, who reached on a error, and Donovan Minero, who singled, scored on Rod Goldston's 20th doubble of the season.

Both UNCG and WCu scored single runs in the ninth to provide the final margin, 7-5.

The Catamounts were led by Beck's 2-for-3 performance with three RBI. Minero and Myers each added two hits.

Western will face College of Charleston in the second round at 10 am Thursday.