Box Score May 25, 2006
Charleston, S.C. -
Three of the first four batters for the 28th-ranked College of Charleston (41-15) had hits in the first inning to score once, which proved to be the only run scored in the game as the second-seed Cougars edged Western Carolina (32-26) 1-0 Thursday evening in the second round of the 2006 Southern Conference Championship, played at Riley Park. The Catamounts, who have only allowed one earned run in two games to date in the tournament, will face Georgia Southern in an elimination game Friday at 10:00 am.
In a game featuring two of the top offenses in the SoCon, a pitchers dual was not expected, especially considering that Charleston scored 13 runs in its first game and Western scored 14. Contributing to the low run production was the fact that the Cougars left seven runners on base and Western, who turned three double plays, stranded 10.
However, SoCon Pitcher of the Year Nick Chigges (10-1) pitched his first career game and threw 148 pitches, allowing four hits and five walks with four strikeouts. Three Catamount pitchers had solid outings as well. Bryan Tupper (5-2) scattered seven hits over six innings, allowing just four after giving up his only run of the game. The senior allowed the one run with no walks and two strikeouts. Brian McCullen only allowed one hit and one walk with a strikeout in two innings, while Greg Holland pitched a scoreless ninth.
In the first, the Cougars' Clay McCord and Chris Campbell started the game with back-to-back leadoff singles. After an out, Jess Easterling drove in the lone score of the game with an RBI double down the right field line.
College of Charleston threatened in the fifth as McCord had a one-out triple. However, Campbell hit a fly ball to left and McCord was called out at third for leaving to early.
Western's best chance to score came in the bottom of the seventh. Chigges would eventually walk the bases loaded with two outs, but got a ground out to escape unscathed.
Jonathan Greene led the WCU offense, getting two of the Cats' four hits. McCord, Alex Garabedian and Jedd Cordisco each had two hits for the Cougars.
NOTES: Barrett Shaft got a hit to start the fourth inning, giving him a 17-game hitting streak. Greene had a two-out hit in the sixth to give him an 11-game hit streak. This marked the first 1-0 final in the SoCon Championship since Western beat Georgia Southern 1-0 in the winners bracket final of the 2003 tournament.