April 22, 2003

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Alan Beck drove in a career high seven, thanks to a pair of three-run home runs, to lead Western Carolina to a 21-10 victory over Georgia State (21-21) Tuesday night at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts (28-14) scored in each of the first six innings, pounding out 21 hits with six players getting at least two hits in the contest.

The Catamounts took an early 1-0 lead as Beck doubled with two outs in the bottom of the first and later scored when the Georgia State shortstop dropped a Todd Buchanan fly ball. Western tacked on five runs in the bottom of the second, thanks to four hits and two Panther errors, making the score 6-0. Brett Kasten started the home half by being hit by a pitch and would come all he way home when Brian Sigmon's ground resulted in two Panther errors. Todd Roper followed with a bunt single, putting runners on the corners. Wayne Kilmer brought home Sigmon with a single and Beck plated Roper on an RBI fielder's choice. Buchanan put runners on second and third with a double to center. Rod Goldston delivered a two-run single to chase Georgia State starter Tim Burgess. Panther relief pitcher Cody Webb ended the scoring when he got Brandon McDowell to ground into a double play.

Western made it a 10-0 game with four runs in the bottom of the third. Kasten doubled and scored on a Roper single down the right field line. After a Kilmer single, Beck followed with a three-run home run to left-center. The Cats continued their productivity in the fourth, scoring two runs on three hits. McDowell deposited a pitch over the left-field fence, his second of the season. After a Nelson walk and a Sigmon infield single, Roper singled to drive in Nelson.

Georgia State ended the shutout with three unearned runs in the top of the fifth (12-3). Mike DeVeaux reached on an error and scored on an RBI double by Kevin Kawasaki. Dustin Phillips followed with a walk and Rusty Bennett doubled to score two. Western answered with eight runs in the bottom of the fifth. Goldston, Nelson, Chris Davis, Roper and Kilmer each had contributed an RBI, while Beck hit his second three-run home run of the night, this time off the right-center scoreboard. Beck now leads the SoCon with 13 home runs on the season.

The Catamounts added their 21st run in the bottom of the sixth, marking the most runs by WCU this season and the most since the Cats scored 26 at Appalachian State on March 23, 2002. Georgia State made the score 21-7 with four runs in the top of the seventh. Kawasaki delivered an RBI single, Stephen Burroughs had a two-run single and Dustin Phillips later scored on a wild pitch.

The Panthers capped the scoring with three runs in the ninth. Burroughs started the frame by reaching on an error. With one out, Ryan Sterling doubled to drive in Burroughs. DeVeaux followed with an RBI single, as did pinch hitter Brian Williams.

Beck, who was 3-for-5, scored five runs to go along with his seven RBI. Roper, McDowell and Nelson each had three hits, while Kilmer and Goldston added two each. Roper and Goldston also added three RBI each, with Kilmer driving in two. Seth Foster improved to 3-3 on the season, scattering five hits and three unearned runs over five complete. While WCU pitchers did allow 10 runs on the night, only two were earned due to five Catamount errors.

Georgia State was led by Kawasaki. The leadoff hitter struck out to start the game, then got a hit in each of his final four at bats. Burroughs was 2-for-5. Kawasaki, Burroughs and Bennett each drove in two. Burgess suffered the loss, falling to 2-8. He allowed five hits, six runs (four earned) and two walks, while fanning two.

Western Carolina and Georgia State will return to Childress Field/Hennon Stadium on Wednesday with first pitch set for 3 pm. It will mark the Catamounts final home game until hosting Appalachian State for a three-game set May 11-12. That series will be Western's final homestand of the 2003 season with Sunday, May 11, being Senior Day.