May 29, 2004

Charleston, SC - The littlest player on the lowest ranked team put unlikely Western Carolina one win away from a Southern Conference Tournament title. Sophomore right-hander Jeremy Ellenburg, 5-8 and perhaps his listed weight of 145 pounds, threw six-plus innings of baffling baseball Friday to lead the Catamounts to a 5-2 victory over The Citadel before a crowd of 3,165 at Riley Park.

"He weighed in at 133 pounds before the season," Western Carolina head coach Todd Raleigh said. "I weighed more than that in seventh grade."

When Ellenburg took the mound Friday for his first college start, catcher Brian Sigmon caught a question.

"The umpire said 'How old is thiskid?' " Sigmon said. "I told him 'I don't know, but his heart is 19 years old.' "

No. 8 seed Western Carolina improved to 28-29 and will play tonight at 7 p.m. against the winner of today's loser's bracket game pitting The Citadel against the College of Charleston. If the Catamounts lose, they get another shot Sunday at a second straight SoCon championship. The Citadel, the No. 3 seed, must win twice today to earn a championship game berth on Sunday. The Bulldogs fell to 35-26.

"(Ellenburg) did a great job of pitching backwards," Citadel head coach Fred Jordan said. "He did a phenomenal job of throwing breaking balls in positive counts. He was outstanding."

Ellenburg (4-2) gave up eight hits and two runs over a personal-record 6-2/3 innings. He wasn't overpowering (three strikeouts) but walked only two batters.

"I just knew I had to hit spots and make pitches," Ellenburg said. "I wanted to go as long as I could."

Citadel starter Griff Beckham (3-5) departed after two innings, Western Carolina ahead 3-0. Senior right-hander and slugger Chip Cannon was scheduled to start but suffered a wrist injury Thursday night in a collision at second base during The Citadel's victory over Davidson. Cannon was healthy enough to play first base, doubled and scored the Bulldogs' first run. His pitching status will be revaluated today.

Sophomore left-hander Ryan Owens picked up for Beckham and went the rest of the way, fanning eight Catamounts in a superb effort.

"The key for us is to come back out and play hard," Cannon said. "We know we're going to rally behind each other."