May 11, 2003

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Derek Smith hit three home runs as part of a 4-for-4 performance in game one to lead Appalachian State to a 12-7 victory. In game two, Rod Goldston and Denver Edick each had three hits and three RBI as 26th-ranked Western Carolina won the nightcap 10-5 Sunday at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts now sport a 35-15 overall record and 20-6 in the SoCon, while the Mountaineers are 12-33, 6-20.

With the split, Western Carolina clinched at least a share of the Southern Conference regular-season title and the number one seed at the SoCon Championship, held May 21-24 in Charleston, S.C., at Riley Park. The Catamounts only need to win one of its remaining four conference games to win the regular-season crown outright.

In game one, Appalachian State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as the game's first hitter, Justin Thomas, singled and scored on a Joey Robinson double. The Catamounts then took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first off a two-run home run by Alan Beck, which was his league-leading 17th blast of the season.

The Mountaineers regained the advantage with three runs in the second and never looked back. Smith began the frame with the first of his three homers. The Apps then took advantage of a Catamount error to score two unearned runs in the inning. Appalachian State added two runs in the third off a two-run blast by Smith, two in the fourth, one in the sixth, one in the eighth off a Smith solo shot and two in the ninth.

Western did mount several threats, but the Mountaineers were able to escape relatively unscathed each time. In the third, down 6-2, Western's first three batters of the inning reached, the last being an RBI single by Todd Buchanan. However, on a Goldston ground ball, runner's interference was called, resulting in a double play and Alan Beck, who apparently had scored, was forced to return to third on the call. Beck was left stranded on a fly out two batters later.

In the eighth, Western plated two runs to make the score 10-6. However, with two men on, Monty Fast recorded a strikeout to end the inning. In the ninth, with two outs and the bases loaded, relief pitcher David Batten entered the game and recorded his first save of the season after getting a ground ball to end the contest.

For ASU, Smith, who has eight homers for the season, added a single in the fourth and a walk in the sixth. Thomas also had a four-hit effort in game one, driving in three and scoring twice. Robinson finished 3-for-6 with two RBI. Taylor Craig pitched 7.1 innings and improved to 2-5 on the season. He allowed seven hits, six runs and four walks with two strikeouts. Fast got two outs in the eight and got two strikeouts to start the ninth before giving way to Batten

For Western, Chris Davis was 1-for-3 with three RBI. Beck went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Edick added two hits in three at bats. Seth Foster (3-4) took the loss, allowing eight hits and six runs (four earned) in three innings.

In game two, Western got on the board first as Wayne Kilmer scored on a Goldston fielder's choice in the bottom of the first. The Mountaineers tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the third. Thomas, who singled and advanced to second on a Robinson single, stole third and scored on a WCU throwing error.

The Cats regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, 2-1, on Edick's sixth home run of the season, only to have the Apps knot the game at 2-2 in the top of the fifth. A walk to leadoff hitter Ty Racette and a bunt single by Thomas set up an RBI double by Robinson. The Mountaineers tried to take the lead on the play, but the Catamounts cut down Thomas attempting to score on a Goldston to Todd Roper to Edick play at the plate. Appalachian State tried to take the lead again in the sixth on a two-out single to right field by Ben Marsh, but Goldston threw a strike to the plate to end the inning.

Western rode the momentum in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs and making the score 5-2. Goldston, who extended his hitting streak to 20 games with hits in both contests, started the bottom half with a triple. Edick followed with an RBI double and scored one batter later on a two-run Brandon McDowell home run.

Appalachian State took advantage of a fielding error and a misjudged fly ball to once again tie the game (5-5). A Robinson infield single plated Racette, who had singled to start the inning. With two outs, a WCU error extended the ASU inning and put runners at second and third. The two came home when centerfielder Matt Nelson misjudged a high fly ball by Smith, which went down as a two-run single.

Western exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth to seal the win. Batten, who got the save in game one, came on the start the home half and walked Nelson. After a sacrifice bunt, Nelson moved to third on an error by the ASU centerfielder. The Apps intentionally walked Beck to load the basses and went to left-handed pitcher Fast to face left-handed hitting Buchanan. Buchanan walked to plate Nelson and keep the bases loaded. Goldston followed with a two-run single and Edick delivered an RBI single. Pinch hitter Jimmy Cochran capped the scoring with an RBI single.

Derrick Hawk improved to 9-1 on the season, allowing just two hits and no runs with a strikeout in two innings of work. Ryan Basner started for the Cats, but did not factor in the decision, allowing 11 hits, five runs (three earned) and two walks with six strikeouts. Joining Goldston and Edick as offensive standouts in game two were McDowell (2-for-4 with two RBI) and Davis (2-for-4).

For the Mountaineers, Thomas and Robinson each had three hits in five at bats, while Smith was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Like Western, ASU starter Scott Clark did not factor in the decision, allowing 10 hits, five runs and six walks in 7.0 innings. Batten (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs and two walks in one-third of an inning.

Western Carolina will conclude its 2003 home schedule on Monday (May 12), hosting Appalachian State in the final game of the three-game set. First pitch at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium is set for 6 pm.