April 13, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - After Alan Beck hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings, Todd Roper's RBI single in the 13th lifted Western Carolina to an 8-7 win over the College of Charleston Saturday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The game was the longest contest in WCU history.

Roper's heroics were setup in the 13th when Todd Buchanan had a leadoff single. A double by Donovan Minero and an intentional walk to Doug Myers loaded the bases. The Cougars dodged one bullet when Brian Sigmon's fly ball to right field was not deep enough to plate Buchanan. However, Roper, who entered the game for the pinch hitter Beck, singled to left to drive in Buchanan for the winning run.

The College of Charleston (23-11, 9-5 SoCon) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of two hits and an error. Jasha Balcom reached on a error and runners were on second and third after a double by Lee Curtis. Matt Lauderdale singled to center to plate the two Cougars. Charleston also took advantage of some untimely defense by the Cats in the third. Curtis reached on a throwing error, which allowed the Cougar third baseman to advance to second. After a ground out, Mickey Torello reached on a fielding error which enabled Curtis to score.

Western Carolina (21-12, 11-6 SoCon) made the score 3-1 in the bottom of the third when Catamount freshman Alex Gary hit his first career home run. The Cats made it a one-run game in the fourth as WCU defensive replacement Dan Woodley provided an RBI double, driving in Minero.

The Catamounts took a 4-3 lead in the fifth, scoring two runs on four hits. Goldston singled to right and advanced to second on an infield single by Buchanan. Minero plated Goldston with a single up the middle. After a passed ball, Buchanan scored an unearned run on an RBI single by Myers.

The College of Charleston responded with four runs in the top of the sixth to make the score 7-4. A leadoff walk to Brett Andreson set the table for pinch hitter's Zach Strong's RBI single. Balcom had an infield single to plate Strong. Curtis followed with a triple to score Balcom and would cross home plate after a throwing error - WCU's fifth miscue of the ballgame.

Western looked to regain the advantage in the bottom of sixth. With the bases loaded, Goldston walked to force home Sigmon and make the score 7-5. CofC called on relief pitcher Matthew Thompson, who got Ryan Schade to foul out and Buchanan to ground out to limit the damage.

In the ninth, Minero had leadoff double. After two fly outs, Beck, pinch-hitting for Woodley, hit a 2-0 pitch over the left field wall for his sixth blast of the season.

The Cougars got a hit in the 10th and one in the 12th, but were held in check by Catamount relief pitcher Joe Camac. The junior improved to 3-2 on the season, allowing only one hit in the 3.1 innings. Camac, who faced 11 batters, also had a carer-high six strike outs.

Western put runners on in the 10th and 11th innings, but was unable to capitalize until the 13th. Thompson (2-1) suffered the loss, allowing seven hits, three runs and five walks with three strike outs in 7.0 innings.

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