March 24, 2002

Final Stats

Boone, N.C. - Seth Foster only gave up one earned run over seven innings as Western Carolina defeated Appalachian State 6-3 Sunday afternoon at Red Lackey Field. The Catamounts (13-8, 6-3 SoCon) win all three games over the Mountaineers (3-17, 1-8 SoCon) to sweep their first league road series since sweeping Furman in 1999.

Foster improves to 5-0 on the season. He scattered eight hits over 7.0 innings,allowing three runs (one earned) with a walk and four strikeouts. He matches his win total of last season (5-4). Joe Camac pitched a perfect eighth, while Seth's twin Ryan Foster pitched a perfect ninth to earn his third save of the season. It marks the second time in the Fosters' career they have combined for a win and a save in the same game. Last year, as sophomores, Seth recorded a win in the series finale at The Citadel, while Ryan picked up the save in the contest.

Western jumped out to an early 3-0 lead versus App State Sunday. Leadoff hitter Rod Goldston started the game with a single to left, allowing him to reach base safely in 11 consecutive at bats. After a stole base, Goldston scored on a single by Alan Beck. Beck, who stole second, scored when Todd Buchanan reached on a throwing error by the first baseman. Donovan Minero had an RBI single, driving in Buchanan and making the score 3-0.

Appalachian State cut the lead to 3-2 with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Adam Ennis singled and Brooks Haislip reached on an error. ASU shortstop Clint Johns tripled to right-center to drive in Ennis and Haislip.

The Catamounts regained a three-run advantage in the fourth. Clint Ramsey started the frame with a single to left, followed by a walk and a bunt single by Todd Roper to load the bases. Goldston was hit by a pitch to drive in Ramsey, while Beck delivered a one-out sacrifice fly to plate Chris Davis.

Both teams threatened, but neither team could push across a run until the seventh. In fact, App State started Kyle Shiplett retired 10 straight until Beck singled in the seventh. Minero would later drive in Beck with a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the seventh, Ty Racette and Grahman Thompson had back-to-back two outs doubles to cap the scoring at 6-3.

Mountaineer relief pitcher Matt Wood was effective in his final 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts.

Offensively for the Catamounts, Beck led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, while Roper went 2-for-3. Beck and Minero each drove in two.

Western Carolina will open a nine-game home stand starting on Wednesday when the Cats host Binghamton at 3:00 pm. WCU and Binghamton will also play at 3:00 pmon Thursday, followed by a weekend series with Furman, a single game with UNC Ashville and a weekend series with The Citadel.