Thursday, March 23, 2000

Johnson City, Tenn. - UNC Asheville's Willie Stewart went 5-6 with five RBIs and four runs scored to lead the Bulldogs in a 19-5 victory over East Tennessee State at ETSU's Cardinal Park.

The Bucs (6-13) were paced by junior Ryan McKinney who went 4-4 with two doubles and one run scored. UNC Asheville outhit the Bucs 17-10.

UNC Asheville (10-10) jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the top of the first. The Bulldogs struck for four runs in the second, highlighted by a Tim Nettles home run to right center.

The Bucs manufactured their first run in the third. After a base hit by McKinney, ETSU earned three consecutive walks. The Bulldogs responded with two in the fourth to increase their lead to 9-1. Willie Stewart's home run and Stephen Deyo's two-run double in the fifth extended the lead to 12-1.

The Bulldogs scored seven runs over the final four innings to finish off the Bucs 19-5. It marked UNCA's sixth win in its past seven games.

ETSU sophomore Raymond McBride started the game and lasted two innings, giving up seven runs on seven hits. UNC Asheville's Chris Duhamel went 2.2 innings, allowing one hit and one run. UNCA's Mike Rembert pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball to improve his record to 3-1.

ETSU will return to action on Saturday, March 25 at 1 p.m. when they host Georgia Southern in a Southern Conference doubleheader.