April 21, 2002

Final Stats

Davidson, N.C. - Ryan Schade made up for all of Western Carolina's squandered opportunities on offense by clubbing a two-out, three-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Catamounts (25-14, 14-7 Southern Conference) a 4-1 victory against the host Davidson Wildcats (16-25, 8-13) on Sunday.

Through the first nine innings, WCU left 14 runners on base, including 10 in the first five frames. But when Brian Sigmon reached on the game's first error to lead off the 10th, the Catamounts had the break they needed. After a fielder's choice, Todd Roper reached on a push bunt to put runners at first and second with one out.

Wildcat right-handed reliever Matt Hood came on to face pinch-hitter Doug Myers, who moved the runner on second to third with a fly to center. Schade then deposited a 1-0 slider just over the fence in left for the game-winner. It marked the second time in as many Sundays that a Catamount won the game in extra innings with a home run to secure a series win. Last Sunday, Donovan Minero hit a walk-off grand slam in the 11th versus College of Charleston.

Western Carolina took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Sigmon doubled home Rod Goldston, who reached on a leadoff single, from first

Meanwhile, Catamount starter Seth Foster cruised through the first six innings without giving up a run. But in the seventh, senior James Marino led off with a high drive to right for his fourth homer of the season, tying the game at one. Only one other Wildcat baserunner advanced as far as second base in the entire game.

Ryan Basner (2-2) allowed a hit and struck out two in the ninth to earn the victory. In the 10th, Joe Camac came on and retired the side in order, including a pair of strikeouts, to pick up his second save of the season. Foster yielded just five hits and a walk in his eight innings of work, striking out four.

Suffering the loss was junior Stephen Choate (1-2), who gave up two unearned runs in the 10th after escaping a two-on, one-out jam in the ninth by inducing a double play. Davidson starter Andy Carter scattered seven hits and two walks in 6.1 innings while striking out three for Davidson.

The home run for Schade was his sixth of the season and third hit of the game. Alan Beck and Roper each added a pair of hits to the 13-hit Catamount attack.

Marino and junior Chris Emond both banged out two hits, accounting for four of Davidson's six safeties

Western Carolina travels to Athens, Ga., on Tuesday (April 23) to face the Georgia Bulldogs at 4 p.m. Western was originally scheduled to play at Tennessee on Tuesday. However, the Vols informed WCU they would not be able to play the game.