May 12, 2002

Final Stats

Johnson City, Tenn. - East Tennessee State scored five runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the eighth to post a 16-10 victory over Western Carolina Sunday afternoon at Cardinal Park.

Western (31-18, 20-10 SoCon) raced out to a early lead, scoring five runs with two outs in the top of the first. After Rod Goldston and Alex Gary were retired to start the contest, Ryan Schade, Donovan Minero and Alan Beck had consecutive singles, the latter plating Schade. Todd Buchanan followed with a two-run double and Brian Sigmon kept the inning alive, reaching on a error. Ramsey drove in Buchanan with a single to center and Roper had an RBI bunt single.

The Bucs (20-30, 12-14 SoCon) cut their deficit to three runs on a solo home run by leadoff hitter Matt Traylor in the bottom of the first. ETSU then tied the contest at 5-5 in the bottom of the second on a grand slam by Tim Turner.

The Catamounts regained the advantage in the third. Buchanan had a one-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Ramsey single. In the fourth, Western expanded its lead to 9-5 with three runs. Goldston had a leadoff double and Schade walked. Minero had an RBI single and stole second to put runners at second and third. Ramsey delivered a two-out single to score Schade and Minero.

ETSU answered in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the WCU advantage to 9-6 with an RBI single by Jeremy Terry. In the bottom of the fifth, the Bucs took their first lead, 11-9, scoring five runs on four hits. Bryan Crouse had a leadoff single and ETSU loaded the bases on a walk and a hit by pitch, chasing WCU starter Seth Foster. Catamount relief pitcher Rob Hoover surrendered a fielder's choice RBI and four singles.

Kirk Keithley gave the Bucs an 12-9 lead in the sixth with a solo home run. WCU added one run in the seventh to make the score 12-10. Buchanan doubled and later scored on ground out to second by Sigmon.

The Bucs put the game away, scoring four runs on just two hits in the ninth. WCU committed an error, Catamount relief pitcher Joe Camac walked three and ETSU executed a textbook suicide squeeze.

Western was led on offense by Ramsey. The freshman went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Buchanan also had three hits in three official plate appearances, walking twice, driving in two and scoring three times. Schade, Minero and Roper each added two hits.

Western Carolina will return to action on Tuesday at Winthrop. The game, which was recently added to the schedule, will start at 4 pm. The Cats will play their final home game on Wednesday versus top-ranked Clemson. First pitch is now set for 3:30 pm at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.