April 21, 2003

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina senior outfielder Rod Goldston was named Southern Conference Player of the Week, the league announced today. The Ramseur, N.C., native batted .522 (12-for-23) for the week and played a key role in the Catamounts sweeping VMI to remain atop of conference standings.

Goldston, who is in the midst of an 11-game hit streak, collected at least two hits and two RBI in each of his five games, leading WCU to a 4-1 record. He scored 10 runs, drove in 11 and hit two doubles. He additionally hit two of his four home runs of the season, both two-run blasts. In Western's sweep over VMI, Goldston batted .500 (7-for-14) with a double, a home run and seven RBI. On Saturday, WCU was down 6-0 to VMI after the first inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Goldston hit a game-tying, two-run home run. He would finish the game going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored as WCU came from behind to win 11-7.

For the week, Goldston lifted his season batting average nearly 30 points and, for the first time in his career, is Western's leading hitter with a current batting average of .359. With two doubles this week, Goldston now has 62 for his career to tie for second on the WCU and fifth on the SoCon all-time lists. He only need six more doubles to tie Chris Moore for the WCU all-time lead.

During Goldston's current 11-game hit streak, he has at least two hits in eight of those contests, including six straight. He is batting .511 (23-for-45) over the span with 18 runs scored, 17 RBI, seven doubles and three home runs. He additionally has a hit in 24 of his last 25 games.

Goldston, who earns his first ever SoCon honor, becomes the fourth Catamount to be named conference player of the week this season. Ryan Basner was SoCon Pitcher of the Week (Mar. 17) and teammates Alan Beck and Todd Buchanan were tabbed Co-Players of the Week (April 7).

Western Carolina will return to action with a pair of home games versus Georgia State this week. First pitch Tuesday (April 22) is set for 7 pm, while Wednesday's game is slated for a 3 pm start.

#16  Rod Goldston's Statistics for the Week - 5 games

Date           Opponent          GS  AB   R   H RBI  2B  3B  HR  BB IBB  SB  CS HBP SAC  SF GDP   K  PO   A   E   Avg
Apr 15, 2003   Tennessee Tech     *   5   1   2   2   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .400
Apr 16, 2003   Gardner-Webb       *   4   2   3   2   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .556
Apr 18, 2003   VMI                *   5   2   2   2   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0  .500
Apr 19, 2003   VMI                *   4   3   3   3   0   0   1   1   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   2   0   0  .556
Apr 20, 2003   VMI                *   5   2   2   2   1   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   3   0   0  .522
Totals                            5  23  10  12  11   2   0   2   1   0   1   1   0   0   0   0   0   5   0   0  .522