March 25, 2003

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Seniors Alan Beck and Todd Buchanan combined to go 5-for-8 at the plate for with five RBI, while sophomore lefthanders Brandon McDowell and Brad Josey were impressive on the mound as Western Carolina handed 10th-ranked Clemson a 9-5 loss Tuesday in what was the first ever home night game at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.

The victory by the Catamounts (18-8), winners of 17 of their last 20, snapped a 14-game win streak by the Tigers (17-4) this season and ended a seven-game losing streak to Clemson. Also, it was Western's first win over a ranked opponent since the Cats dealt Clemson, who was ranked fifth at the time, a 10-7 setback in 1998 in Cullowhee.

Clemson had WCU starter McDowell in a jam from the start as the Franklin, N.C., product walked the leadoff hitter, Ryan Hub, and gave up a single to number two hitter Russell Triplett. However, McDowell got a fly out, picked off Hub at second and struck out Brad McCann looking to escape unscathed.

Western also got a leadoff walk in the first, but was able to capitalize on a Tiger balk and an error to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. After Todd Roper walked, he advanced to second on a balk and moved to third on Wayne Kilmer's groundout. Beck followed with a single to center to plate Roper, but an error allowed Beck to move to third. Buchanan grounded out to second, driving in Beck for the 2-0 lead.

Both teams went down quietly in the second inning, but the third frame proved pivotal. After giving up a lead off single to Brady Everett and a two-out double by Triplett, the Tigers had two runners in scoring position. McDowell looked to be out of the inning with a ground ball, but a throwing error extended the inning and allowed the two runners to score, making the score 2-2. The next batter, McCann, belted the first pitch he saw over the left field fence to give Clemson a 4-2 lead.

The Catamounts rallied in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs of their own. Kilmer, who reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and Beck was walked. Buchanan delivered a two-run single to left center to tie the game and chasing Clemson starter Jeff Hahn. Rod Goldston welcomed new pitcher Josh Cribb with a bad-hop single to third, putting runners on the corners. Denver Edick brought home Buchanan with a single to left, giving the Cats a 5-4 lead. Two batters later, Chris Davis singled through the right side of the infield to score Edick, which proved to the be the game winner.

Western added two more runs in bottom of the fourth. After Brian Sigmon was hit by a pitch to start the frame, he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Beck was intentionally walked for the fourth time this season and Buchanan followed with a single to load the bases. Like McDowell in the third, Clemson pitcher Cribb looked to escape the threat with a ground ball, but an error allowed two runs to cross the plate, making the score 8-4.

Neither team threatened in the fifth or sixth innings, but the Cats added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh as Buchanan launched his eight homer of the season to begin the home half. Clemson added a run in the top of the eighth to cap the scoring. Triplett had a leadoff single and advanced to second on a passed ball. McCann followed with an RBI double to left.

Buchanan finished the night 3-for-5 at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored. Beck was 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Davis added a pair of hits in three at bats. Roper was 0-for-2 but walked twice and scored a run. However, he made a highlight-reel play at second base to end the fourth.

McDowell improved to 3-1 on the year, pitching five complete innings and seeing his first action since an impressive performance versus nationally-ranked South Carolina on Mar. 12. He allowed six hits and four runs, however none of the runs were earned. McDowell struck out five, one shy of his career high, and walked just one. Josey pitched the final four innings to earn his first save of the season and the second of his career. He only gave up three hits and one run. The Charlotte native fanned four, including two in the ninth, with no walks. Josey leads the team with a 4-0 record and has not walked a batter in his last three outings (17 innings) and only allowed one run, going 2-0 with a save over the span.

Clemson was led by Triplett, McCann and Jeff Hourigan. Triplett, the Tigers' shortstop, went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and an impressive play in the field. McCann, who had three RBI, and Hourigan each went 2-for-4. Hahn (3-3) was saddled with the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) on just two hits in 2.1 innings. He did walk four and struck out one.

Western Carolina, who leads the Southern Conference with an 8-1 record, will return to league play this weekend with a three-game set at Furman. Game times at Furman Baseball Stadium are 7 pm Friday (Mar. 28), 6 pm Saturday and 1 pm Sunday.