Feb. 24, 2002

Final Stats

Charleston, S.C. - West Virginia scored multiple runs in the final four innings to hand Western Carolina a 12-5 loss Sunday morning in the Berkeley Electric Shootout at Riley Park.

Mountaineer left fielder Dallas Crews went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two home runs to lead West Virginia (2-3) to the win.

Western Carolina (4-2) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as center fielder Donovan Minero singled to left to lead off the frame and later scored on a RBI double by left fielder Doug Myers. Myers then scored on a Mountaineer error.

West Virginia tied the game in the top of the third on a Crews home run to left field. Second baseman Chad Blevins followed with a walk and scored on a Catamount error. The Mountaineers posted three more runs in the sixth highlighted by a Crews' second homer of the game, scoring designated hitter Derek Cisar.

The Catamounts scratched a run across in the bottom of the sixth when designated hitter Chris Davis singled home Myers to close the gap to 5-3.

West Virginia center fielder Mike Frownfelter hit a solo home run to start off the seventh inning. The Mountaineers then tacked on another run to give them a 7-3 lead. First baseman Kurtis Clinton posted a three-run double in the top of the eighth to extended WVU's advantage to 10-3.

The Catamounts cut their deficit in half, 10-5, in the bottom of the eighth. Brian Sigmon doubled home Myers, then Dan Woodley double to score Sigmon.

West Virginia added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth to close the scoring.

Mountaineer starter Dustin Nippert pitched 5.2 innings and struck out four to improve to 1-1 on the season. Western reliever Ryan Basner was saddled with the loss, allowing two runs and tow hits in 1.2 innings. It was the first appearance of the season for the junior, who had off-season arm surgery. Catamount freshman Brian Barnes gave up one earned run and two hits in working the first four innings.

Offensively for the Cats, Myers led the way, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Minero added two hits, while Davis drove in two.

Western Carolina will play a two-game set with No. 2 Florida State on Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb. 26-27) in Tallahassee. The Cats will return home to host North Carolina A&T for a weekend series. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday (Mar. 2) starting a Noon, followed by a single game at 1:00 pm on Sunday.