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April 5, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - The Citadel scored six runs in the sixth inning en route to an 8-3 victory, snapping a nine-game winning streak by Western Carolina's Friday afternoon at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.
Both The Citadel (18-11, 11-2 SoCon) and Western Carolina (19-9, 9-4 SoCon) each tallied 16 hits in the contest. However, the Catamounts left 18 runners on base, compared to just eight by the Bulldogs, which proved to be the difference.
Western Carolina jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, scoring a run in the bottom of the first. Ryan Schade singled and advanced to third on a Todd Buchanan single. Donovan Minero, the reigning SoCon Player of the Week, drove in Schade with a two-out, RBI single to center.
The Citadel threatened to tie the game in the third, but Catamount right fielder Rod Goldston threw out Chris Ard at the plate for the final out of the inning.
Western added a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-0 lead. A lead off walk to Alan Beck proved costly as he would advance to third on a Minero single and score on a sacrifice fly by Chris Davis.
The Bulldogs turned the tide after exploding for six runs on five hits in the top of the sixth. Jason Randall started the frame with a single and would advance to third after a walk to Chip Cannon and an infield single by Jon Aughey. Catamount starter Jared Burton struck out Matt Dean before surrendering an RBI single by Josh Stackley. Burton then got Michael Mainor to ground out and looked to be in control. However, with two out and the bases loaded, the Bulldogs tied the game at 2-2 when Burton hit Ard with a pitch. Brook Dantzler followed with a two-run double to make the score 4-2. David Griffin added the final two runs of the inning on a single to right field, plating Ard and Dantzler.
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The Citadel added single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to cap the scoring. In the seventh, Jason Randall doubled and scored on a Dean single to center. In the eighth, Mainor hit a leadoff home run to center for his first homer of the season.
Western threatened in the final three innings, but left two men on in the seventh, three in the eighth and two in the ninth. Overall, the Catamounts left at least two men on base in all but one inning in the contest.
Raymond Jenkins improved to 2-1 on the season, allowing eighth hits, two runs and two walks with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings. Hamer allowed six hits, an unearned run and a walk in 3.0 innings. He did strikeout three Catamounts and escaped unscathed with the bases loaded in the eighth. Randy Corn allowed two leadoff hits in the ninth, but got two strikeouts and a pop out to end the contest.
Western's Jared Burton fell to 5-3 on the season, allowing 11 hits, six runs and one walk with six strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
Offensively for The Citadel, Dantzler and Griffin each had three hits, while Randall, Aughey and Dean each added two hits. Dantzler and Griffin also lead the way with two RBI each.
For the Catamounts, Minero and Roper each went 4-for-5, while Davis and Buchanan each added two hits.
Western Carolina and The Citadel will play the second of their three-game series on Saturday (April 6). First pitch is set for 1 pm.
Saturday is also "Little League Day" at Childress Field/Hennon Stadium. All Little Leaguers between the ages of 5-12 will be admitted free of charge if they are wearing their Little League jersey or hat. Little Leaguers are invited to come early (by 12:45) and run out onto the field with the Catamount starters and stand at your position on the field for the National Anthem. There will be several exciting contests and prizes awarded during the game and a special postgame autograph session with the WCU Baseball team.
