May 17, 2003

Final Stats

Mt. Pleasant, S.C. - After trailing 2-0 early, the College of Charleston scored single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings to win 3-2 over 28th-ranked Western Carolina Saturday evening at Patriots Point. Earlier in the day, Western won 3-2 as the two teams completed a game which was suspended Friday night.

In the second inning, Western took a 2-0 lead. Todd Buchanan led off with a double and scored thanks to a Rod Goldston single and a throwing error on the Cougar right fielder. After a walk to Denver Edick and a Mat Nelson single, Goldston scored.

The Cougars cut their deficit in half (2-1) in the bottom of the fourth. CofC loaded the bases with no outs, but only managed one run. Victor Martinez fouled out and Brett Spivey hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Brett Gardner, who broke up the perfect game with a bunt single. Stanley Nix popped up to short to end the threat. WCU starter Brad Josey avoided another jam in the bottom of the fifth. After walking Lee Curtis to load the bases with two outs, Josey struck out Matt Hallett on three pitches to escape unscathed.

The College of Charleston tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Nix singled and pinch-hitter Matt Kirkpatrick singled. Pinch hitter Brett Anderson followed with a double to score Nix. The Cougars took their first lead in the bottom of the seventh. Curtis was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored what proved to be the game winner on a Hallett single up the middle.

CofC starter Reid Price (6-4) earned the win, scattering 10 hits over seven complete. He allowed two runs and two walks with three strikeouts. Brett Harker picked up his first save of the season, facing the minimum six batters over the eighth and ninth innings. Kirkpatrick, who came in the game as a defensive replacement, was 2-for-2 with a walk, while eight other Cougars contributed one hit each.

For the Catamounts, Wayne Kilmer led the way with a 3-for-5 performance, while Buchanan and Nelson each had two hits. Western did manage 10 hits, but left nine after stranding 12 baserunners in game one. Josey did not factor in the decision, leaving the game with a 2-2 tie after six innings. He allowed seven hits and two runs with three walks and two strikeouts. Brian Barnes suffered the loss, falling to 3-4, allowing two hits and a run and a strikeout in pitching the seventh.

Western Carolina and the College of Charleston will complete their three-game series on Sunday at Patriots Points with first pitch set for 1 pm.