April 16, 2003

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Ryan Quirello and Chip Watts each drove in three runners to lead Gardner-Webb to an 11-7 victory over Western Carolina Wednesday night at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The Bulldogs improve to 24-15 and hand the Catamounts (24-14) just their second loss at home in 20 games.

The Catamounts committed five errors in the loss, while each Bulldog starter recorded at least one hit, including two hits each by Sam Bradford, Quirello, Samy Styers and Watts.

Gardner-Webb raced out to an early lead in the top of the first, scoring five unearned runs thanks to four hits and three Catamount errors. WCU starter Seth Foster got two quick outs, before Bradford reached on an infield single off Brett Kasten's glove at third. David Futrelle then reached on an error to third. After that, Quirello got an RBI single, Jim Glueckert walked, Styers had a two-run single and Watts had a two-run single.

In the third, the Bulldogs took advantage of a fourth Catamount error to expand their lead. Quirello began the frame by reaching on an error and later scored on a Watts single to right.

Western cut its deficit to two (6-4), scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Alan Beck singled to right, but Wayne Kilmer, who led off with a double, was thrown out trying to go to third. Todd Buchanan reached on an error to put runners on the corners. Rod Goldston singled up to center to drive in Beck and Denver Edick followed with an RBI double to plate Buchanan. Chris Davis delivered a two-run single to right to bring home Goldston and Edick, who made an impressive slide to get under the tag.

The Bulldogs made it a 7-4 game with a run in the top of the fifth. Glueckert singled and later scored on a single to center by Jon David Milford. On the play, Watts, who reached on a fielder's choice, was thrown out at home trying to score from first to end the inning.

Gardner-Webb widened its advantage to 11-4 with four runs in the top of the sixth. Futrelle contributed an RBI single, Quirello followed with a two-run single and Ryan McGirr had an RBI single.

Western tallied three runs in the bottom of the eighth, making the score 11-7. Beck started things with a leadoff single, chasing GWU starter Abraham Gonzalez, and moved to second when Buchanan was hit by a pitch. Goldston followed with an RBI double and Chris Davis reached on an error, driving in Buchanan. Alex Gary then hit a sacrifice fly to right.

Gonzalez (3-3) lasted seven innings, before leaving with one on in the eighth. He allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned) with three walks and seven strikeouts. Foster was saddled with the loss, falling to 2-3 on the year. He pitched 4.1 innigs and gave up eight hits and seven runs. However, only one of the seven were earned.

The Catamounts were led by Goldston. The senior, playing designated hitter for the second game after suffering an injury at UNC Greensboro, was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Beck contributed two hits in three at bats, while Davis drove in a team-high three.

Western Carolina will return to conference play on Friday (April 18) when the VMI Keydets come to Childress Field/Hennon Stadium for a three-game series. First pitch Friday is set for 7 pm, with game times being at 4 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday.