web Charlotte

May 9, 2003

Box Score

KANNAPOLIS, NC - The Charlotte 49ers baseball team rallied with five unanswered runs in the eighth inning to defeat #29 TCU, 9-6. The 49ers connected on a season-best four home runs in the game. Adam Willard connected on a career-best two home runs in the game including a game-winning three-run home run in the eighth inning.

Willard finished the game with two hits, two runs and a career-high 4 RBI. Brad Lamm and George Sandel also each had two hits for Charlotte.

TCU jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Justin Hatcher scored on a Charlotte throwing error in the second inning.

The 49ers tied the game when Jamie Rusco connected on his fifth home run of the season over the right center field wall in the bottom of the second inning.

Then, the 49ers took a 2- 1 lead when Alex Derhak connected on his fourth home run of the season over the left field wall leading off the third inning.

The Horned Frogs tied the game when Chris Neuman connected on a home run over the right center field wall in the fourth inning.

Then, the 49ers regained the lead with two runs on three hits in the fifth inning. Adam Willard led off the inning with his second home run of the season over the right center field wall. Then, Brad Lamm scored the inning's other run on George Sandel's single to left field.

Then, TCU tied the game, 4-4, when Jared Lundeen connected on a two-run home run over the left center field wall in the sixth inning.

TCU regained the lead when Chris Meeks leadoff the seventh inning with a home run over the right field wall.

Then, TCU added another run on Will Lewis' sacrifice fly to right field in the eighth inning.

Charlotte then exploded with five runs on four hits in the eighth inning to regain the lead for good, 9-6. George Sandel scored the first run of the inning on Randall Poplin's single to right field. Then, Thomas Bowker tied the game when he scored on Brad Erwin's sacrifice fly to right field. Then, Willard connected on a three-run blast over the right field wall giving the 49ers the lead for good. Willard became the third Charlotte player this season to connect on two home runs in a game.

Charlotte pitcher Zachary Treadway won his seventh game of the season with eight innings of work on the mound.. Then, Mark Ferguson recorded his third save of the season after pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

With the win, the 49ers improved to 20-23 overall and 10-12 in Conference USA. While, TCU falls to 31-19 overall and 18-7 in Conference USA.

The two teams will continue their three-game Conference USA series, Saturday, May 10 at 1 pm at Fieldcrest-Cannon Stadium.