May 21, 2003

Final Stats

Charleston, S.C. - Sophomore Brad Josey dominated for six innings, allowing four hits and striking out a career-high 10, as top-seed Western Carolina claimed a 14-0 victory over eighth-seed Davidson Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the 2003 Southern Conference Championship, held at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. The Catamounts improve to 38-18 and will face fifth-seed Furman on Thursday at 4 pm. Davidson falls to 18-25.

Josey (6-2) threw 81 pitches, 60 strikes, and did not walk a batter. In this Josey's third outing versus Davidson in his career, the left-hander has yet to allow a Wildcats to score in 19.2 innings. Earlier this season at Davidson, he fanned seven, which was his career high before today, and walked none in seven innings. Last season, Josey pitched 6.2 scoreless innings versus Davidson.

Offensively, Wayne Kilmer (2-for-5) drove in a game-high four, including a two-run triple. Junior catcher Brian Sigmon had a career game, going 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Todd Buchanan and Matt Nelson each added three hits in WCU's 18-hit attack.

Western Carolina took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Alan Beck and Buchanan had back-to-back, two-out singles. Rod Goldston then reached on an error to load the bases. Beck stole home for the first run of the game. On the next pitch, Buchanan tried to steal home as well, but was retired for the third out.

The Catamounts extended their advantage to 3-0 in the bottom of the second. Again, with two outs, Nelson and Sigmon singled and Todd Roper loaded the bases with a walk. Kilmer plated Nelson and Sigmon with a sharp single to center. The hot bats continued in the third, scoring seven runs thanks to three doubles and a triple. Buchanan started the home half with a bunt single and, two batters later, Brandon McDowell had a doubled to put runners on second and third. Chris Davis hit an RBI bloop single to center and Nelson doubled home McDowell. Sigmon followed with a two-run single and Roper put runners on second and third with a double down the right field line. Kilmer cleared the bases with a two-run triple to right-center. Beck capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center.

Western tacked on two runs in the fifth, making the score 12-0. Beck drew a one-out walk and, after a Goldston walk, McDowell singled to left. Beck scored on the RBI single, while Goldston scored on the play thanks to an error on the Davidson left fielder. The Cats added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings for the 14-0 final. In the sixth, Nelson doubled, moved to third on a Sigmon single and scored on a Roper single. In the seventh, Buchanan walked and eventually scored when Denver Edick reached on an error.

Davidson had five players get one hit each. Wildcat starter Andy Carter (3-6) took the loss. The 2.1 innings was Carter's shortest in his career as a starter, as was his 12 hits and 10 runs allowed.