May 23, 2002

Final Stats

Charleston, S.C. - Junior right-hander Ryan Johnson hurled a five-hit shutout to lead third-seeded College of Charleston to a 3-0 win over second-seeded Western Carolina in game seven of the 2002 Wendy's/Pepsi Southern Conference Tournament Thursday afternoon at Joe Riley Park.

In tossing his first complete game of the season, Johnson (11-2) struck out two and walked three. The Cougar defense turned four double plays on the day to aid Johnson.

The Cougars (35-20) went ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning when Brett Spivey drew a bases loaded walk to plate Jack Arroyo who led off the frame with a walk. In the fourth, Matt Lauderdale doubled off the left field wall, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a passed ball.

College of Charleston pushed the lead to 3-0 in the seventh when a sacrifice fly off the bat of Lee Curtis scored Brett Gardner.

For Western Carolina (33-22), starter Jared Burton (7-6) suffered the loss after allowing five hits and two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings. He fanned five and walked three on the day.

Lauderdale led the College of Charleston offense with two hits including his fourth inning double. Todd Roper picked up two hits for Western Carolina.

College of Charleston advances to Friday's winner's bracket game at 4:00 p.m. against the winner of The Citadel/Georgia Southern. The Catamounts will play UNC Greensboro at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.

Game 5 Quotes College of Charleston Head Coach Mike Pawlowski: "This was an unexpected outcome between the two leading offensive clubs in the Southern Conference. I got a tremendous effort from Ryan Johnson. He had 19 ground ball outs."

"During tournament play, people rise to the occasion and we've had two tremendous days of defense so far. This is just a really big game for our program; we're just happy to be playing tomorrow night, no matter who it is."

College of Charleston Pitcher Ryan Johnson: "During warm-ups I couldn't even throw a strike in the bull pin but once I got out there, I was able to hit my spots and I had great defense behind me."

"We're sitting in good shape right now. It's really important not to get into the losers bracket in this tournament."

Western Carolina Head Coach Todd Raleigh: "Obviously this was a pitchers dual but I thought both teams had a lot more chances to score. You're not going to win many games when you hit into four double plays."