April 12, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Brett Spivey hit a three-run home run as part of a five-run third inning to lead the College of Charleston to a 7-3 victory over Western Carolina Friday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The Cougars improve to 23-10 overall and 9-4 in the SoCon, while the Catamounts fall to 20-12, 10-6.

The College of Charleston got on the board first, using a double by Stanley Nix and an RBI single by Matt Lauderdale to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. In the third, Brett Gardner had a one-out, bunt single. The next two batters, Jack Arroyo and Jasha Balcom, loaded the bases as they were each hit by a pitch. Lee Curtis plated Gardner and Arroyo with a single to left. Spivey followed with his three-run blast over the left-center field fence to put the Cougars up 6-0.

Western cut its deficit in half in the fifth, scoring three runs on four hits. Rod Goldston started the frame with a double. CofC starter Ryan Johnson exited the game after the hit due to an illness. Despite leaving the game with a 6-0 lead, he did not figure in the decision as he did not pitch five complete innings. Brian Sigmon welcomed Cougar relief pitcher Charlie Wentzky with a single, advancing Goldston to third. The Cats got their first run when Clint Ramsey drove in Goldston on a fielder's choice. After a sacrifice bunt by Todd Roper but runners at second and third, Western scored its next two runs thanks to a wild pitch and a balk.

Charleston capped the scoring in the seventh. Balcom had leadoff walk and scored after stealing second and an RBI single by Nix.

Wentzky improved to 3-3 on the season for the Cougars, pitching the final 5.0 innings. He allowed six hits, two runs (one earned) and one walk, while striking out three. Charleston was led offensively by Balcom, Nix and Lauderdale, who each had two hits.

Catamount starter Seth Foster suffered his first loss of the season, dropping to 6-1 on the year. He allowed nine hits and seven runs in 7.0 innings. However, after giving up the home run to Spivey, he retired 14 of his next 16 batters before leaving the game, finishing with four strike outs and zero walks. Ryan Schade went 3-for-4 for Western, while Sigmon collected two hits.

Western Carolina and the College of Charleston will play the second of their three-game set on Saturday. First pitch at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium is set for 1 pm.

Following the baseball game, the WCU football will host its annual Purple-Gold Spring Game. Fans are welcome to attend a bar-b-que on the Whitmire Stadium concourse. The event will begin at 4 pm and costs $4 per person. The spring game, which is free to the public, will start at 5 pm.