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 The Western Carolina senior Brian Barnes has been named Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week. In two appearances, he was 1-0 with a save, posting a 1.93 ERA. |
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April 4, 2005
Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina senior Brian Barnes (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor HS) has been named Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league announced today. It marks the first weekly honor for Barnes in his career and the first time a Catamount has been honored this season.
In two appearances, Barnes was 1-0 with a save, posting a 1.93 ERA (two runs in 9.1 innings). He only allowed five hits as opponents only batted .152 off the lefty for the week. The save came as WCU upset top-ranked Georgia Tech, 8-5, this past Tuesday and the win came as he fanned a career-high seven in a start at Davidson Sunday. The save was additionally just the second of his career in 75 all-time appearances. The win improved him to 1-0 for the season and 8-9 for his career. It was his second start of the season and his 12th of his career.
With WCU clinging to a 6-5 lead over the Yellow Jackets, Barnes entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and held the Atlantic Coast Conference's top-hitting team without a hit or a run over the final four innings to earn the save. He did allow two walks and struck out one. Overall, WCU pitchers only allowed Georgia Tech to have six hits and the Cats won despite committing four errors and leaving 11 on base.
Barnes returned to the hill as a starter to close out the week at Davidson. Despite allowing the bases to get loaded with no outs in the bottom of the first (two singles and a walk), Barnes battled back to record three straight outs and not allow a run to set the stage for WCU's win. Barnes tied a career high in pitching 5.1 innings and his seven strikeouts were two better than his previous career best. He only allowed two runs and five hits with three walks.
Western Carolina, who played six games in six days last week, will start a five-game home stand on Wednesday, hosting region rival UNC Asheville. First pitch is set for 7:00 pm at WCU's Childress Field/Hennon Stadium.
Prior to Wednesday's game versus the Bulldogs, the Western Carolina Department of Athletics is sponsoring a Student-Athlete Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 6. The event will include a pregame cookout adjacent Hennon Stadium, and culminate with special student-athlete achievement recognition during the course of the baseball game.
The special cookout will begin at approximately 6:00 pm. For more information, contact the athletic department at (828) 227-7338.
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