March 6, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina used two hits and a sacrifice fly, while taking advantage of a UNC Asheville error, to score two runs in the ninth and post a 6-5 come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs Wednesday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.

Down 5-4 through eight an a half innings, Catamount second baseman welcomed Bulldog closer Jason Walker with a single down the right field line. Two batters later Alan Beck delivered a one-out double down the right field line to put runners at second and third. WCU cleanup hitter Todd Buchanan plated Roper with a ground ball to second, which was bobbled to allow Buchanan to reach first. After an intentional walk to Donovan Minero, sophomore Doug Myers hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Beck for the game winner.

UNC Asheville (0-3) got on the board first, scoring two runs on three hits in the top of the second. Grant Rembert, Scott Stotlar and Robert Rudder started the frame with three straight singles. Rudder drove in Rembert, while Stotlar scored on safety squeeze by Ryan Cummins.

Western Carolina (7-4) took a two-run lead (4-2) in the third, sending 10 men to the plate in the inning. The Catamounts had three hits, but UNCA pitcher Jake McConiga walked home a pair of runs and the Bulldogs committed two errors in the inning, leading to three unearned runs.

The Bulldogs tied the game (4-4) in the fifth. McConiga, who was also the UNCA designated hitter, ledoff with a triple to center. Rembert had an RBI ground out to score McConiga, while Stotlar drove in Denver Edick, who walked, with an RBI single to left field.

UNCA took a 5-4 advantage in the eighth. Freshman Israel Victor reached on a fielder's choice and came around after singles by Cummins and Ben Padgett. The Bulldogs threatened in the ninth, putting runners on second and third, but WCU pitcher Joe Camac came out of the bullpen and got the Bulldogs to ground out twice to end the ninth, setting up the Catamount win.

Camac improved to 1-0 on the season. He was part on an outstanding effort by the WCU bullpen. Senior Rob Hoover, who started the fifth inning, held the Bulldogs in check for 2.1 innings, allowing two hits and one run. Ryan Foster had a rarity. While he was credited with just one inning pitched, he actually recorded four outs, striking out three. However, one Bulldog reached after fanning thanks to an error.

Walker (0-1) gave up two hits and two runs (one earned) in 0.2 innings to get the loss for the Bulldogs. McConiga gave up four hits, five walks and runs in 3.0 innings. However he did strikeout five and only one of his runs were earned. Steven Cook, who hails from nearby Bryson City, pitched well in middle relief for UNCA. He did not give up a run in 5.0 innings with two hits, one walk and two strikeouts.

Myers (2-for-3), Buchanan (2-for-5) and Ryan Schade (2-for-4) led Western's offensive attack. UNCA had four players with two hits, including McConiga, Rembert, Stotlar, Rudder and Cummins. With a hit and by being hit by a pitch, WCU junior Alan Beck has now reached base safely in 67 consecutive games.

Today's game had seven errors, leading to six unearned runs. While UNC Asheville out-hit Western, 11-to-8, the Bulldogs left 12 runners on base, compared to Western's 10.

Western Carolina will return to action with a three-game set this weekend, as it opens its 2002 Southern Conference schedule at UNC Greensboro. The Cats and Spartans will play at 7 pm on Friday (Mar. 8), 1 pm on Saturday and 1 pm on Sunday.