May 4, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina seniors Ryan Schade, Donovan Minero and Dan Woodley combined for seven hits as the Catamounts (28-16, 17-8 SoCon) defeated Virginia Military Institute (9-33, 0-20 SoCon), 10-0 in seven innings, Saturday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.

A doubleheader was originally scheduled for today, but the teams were only able to play one contest due to rain. WCU and VMI will play a doubleheader on Sunday, which will also be Catamount Senior Recognition Day, starting at 1:00 pm.

Both teams got off to a slow start after starting three hours late. Western stranded five runners in the first two innings as VMI starting pitcher Jeremy Lynch (3-8) walked four and hit a batter. Catamount starting pitcher Jared Burton (6-4) retired the Keydets in order through three innings and did not allow a hit until Matt Cage managed an infield single in the fifth.

In the bottom of the fifth, Western exploded for five runs on six hits to break a scoreless tie. Schade started the scoring with a solo home run to left, which was his seventh blast of the season. After a bunt single by Alan Beck and a walk to Todd Buchanan, Minero doubled home Beck to make the score 2-0. Designated hitter Chris Davis plated Minero with a double and scored on a Brian Sigmon single. Woodley capped the scoring with an RBI single to left.

The Catamounts added three more runs in the sixth to give WCU an 8-0 advantage. Once again, Schade was the catalyst with a double. After Beck was hit by a pitch, Buchanan doubled, driving in Schade. Minero followed with his second double in as many innings, scoring Beck and Buchanan.

Western scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to end the game due to the 10-run rule. Woodley started the frame by reaching on an error. Consecutive singles to center by Todd Roper and pinch hitter Alex Gary brought Woodley around. Schade made it three straight safeties up the middle, scoring Roper for the 10th and final run.

Schade finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Minero (2-for-3) and Woodley (2-for-4) each collected two hits. Minero added a game-high three RBIs. Beck also had two hits in two at bats with two runs scored.

Burton was credited with his second complete-game shutout of the season, allowing three hits and four walks with six strike outs.

VMI's three hits came from Ben Rand, Jason Annis and Cage.