May 17, 2003

Final Stats

Mt. Pleasant, S.C. - With 28th-ranked Western Carolina holding a 3-0 lead, game one of the Catamounts' game at the College of Charleston was suspended in the top of the seventh due to lightening and heavy rain. The game resumed the following day at 4 pm and, despite giving up two runs to the Cougars, Western held on for a 3-2 win at Patriots Point.

The Catamounts took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Todd Roper started the game down early with an 0-2 count, but worked a walk. After a groundout put Roper on second, Alan Beck delivered an RBI single to right-center field. Beck and Todd Buchanan, who singled, stole third and second, respectively, then scored on a Rod Goldston single to right.

The rain ended the work of senior Ryan Basner, who improved to 7-2 and was having perhaps his best outing of the season. Through six complete innings, the right-hander had only allowed two hits (an bloop single just over the shortstop's head and an infield single to third) and one walk while striking out five.

When the game picked up in the top of the seventh, Goldston, who had 3-1 count, walked. However, neither team scored in the seventh and WCU was held scoreless in the top of the eighth.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Cougars got on the scoreboard with two runs in the home half, making the score 3-2. With one out, pinch-hitter Victor Martinez singled and moved to second when Brett Gardner walked. Back-to-back RBI singles by Matt Hallett and Lee Curtis cut the Cats' lead to one. With two on and one out, Derrick Hawk came out of the bullpen to get a pair of ground outs to end the threat.

Hawk worked a perfect ninth to get his third save of the season. He did not allow a hit, run or walk and struck out one in 1.2 innings. Offensively, Buchanan, Denver Edick and Chris Davis each had two hits.

For the Cougars, Matt Soale (7-2) took the loss, giving up the three runs in the first. Hallett led the way for CofC, getting two of the Cougars' five hits on the day.