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 Clint Ramsey was 1-for-2 from the plate with two RBI against UNC Greensboro. |
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May 24, 2002
CHARLESTON, S.C. - UNC Greensboro's Kirk Strebin sent a two-run homer over the scoreboard in left field in the 10th inning to give the fifth-seeded Spartans a 6-4 win over second-seeded Western Carolina in game nine of the 2002 Wendy's/Pepsi Southern Conference Tournament at Joseph P. Riley Park Friday morning.
The Catamounts struck first when Rod Goldston, who singled, scored on a Clint Ramsey sacrifice fly in the second inning. WCU's Ryan Schade plated Todd Roper in the third inning to give the Catamounts a 2-0 lead.
UNC Greensboro answered in the second inning when Justin Lee hit a sacrfice fly to centerfield, scoring Ryan Galligan, who doubled to reach base and advanced to third on a balk.
Western Carolina added two runs in the fourth. Ramsey picked up his second RBI of the day off a single that drove in Todd Buchanan, followed by a sacrifice fly from Brian Sigmon that plated Donovan Minero for the 4-2 Catamount lead.
UNC Greensboro started the rally in the sixth inning when Lee tallied his second RBI with a single up the left field line, scoring Mike McClain from second base. Jason Sarvis recorded a single to center field that scored David Adams, tying the game and forcing extra innings. Strebin got the job done for the Spartans in the 10th inningwith his home run for the final 6-4 margin.
UNCG's Michael Gulledge (4-0) picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching seven innings and only giving up one hit. Strebin led the Spartans with three RBI, going 3-for-5 from the plate while Lee was 3-for-4 with two RBI.
Pitcher Ryan Basner (2-3) took the loss for the Catamounts. Ramsey was 1-for-2 from the plate for WCU with two RBI while Minero was 2-for-4 with a double.
WCU's loss marks the earliest exit for a second-seeded team since 1994 when #2 Georgia Southern lost to #8 Davidson 5-2 in the elimination bracket.
UNC Greensboro (33-21) advances to Game 12 at 7:30 Friday night and awaits the winner of Game 10 between The Citadel and Furman. WCU ends its season with a 33-23 record.
Game 9 Quotes
UNC Greensboro Head Coach Mike Gaski: "I am really pleased with the team's composure today. Western Carolina is really one of the best offensive teams in this conference and Michael Gulledge really took it, pitch by pitch."
UNC Greensboro Kirk Strebin on game winning home run: "I had left the bases loaded and really took some bad swings with people in scoring position earlier in the game. I just wanted to get a good swing on the ball. I was able to do that and get it out."
Western Carolina Head Coach Todd Raleigh: "Obviously you never like to see your season end. We didn't deserve to win today. This game was a microcosm of the year. We get up early then we let our guards down. UNC Greensboro kept scrapping and they were able to get back in the game. There was not a single play that turned the momentum."
Western Carolina Senior Ryan Schade:
"It's hard to believe it's over. It's pretty tough. They got some timely hits and made the plays while we kept giving them short innings (when we were batting)."
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