May 13, 2000
EAST TENNESSEE STATE BASEBALL FALLS TO FURMAN, 10-8
Johnson City, Tenn. -- Furman's Clint Hill went 3-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Paladins in a 10-8 Southern Conference victory at ETSU's Cardinal Park.
Adam Etherington went 3-5 with two runs scored for Furman. ETSU's offense was led by Matt Nunley who went 3-5 with two runs scored and Ed Sparks who went 2-5 with two RBIs and one run scored.
A Chris Valdes double plated Hill and Valdes later scored on a Cole Hubka fielder's choice to give the visitors a 2-0 lead after the top of the first. The Paladins continued to roll with five runs in the second. Hill and Valdes hit back-to-back two run doubles in the frame.
The Bucs got on the board in the bottom of the third. Nunley began the frame with a base hit and later scored on a Jeremy Terry single. A Sparks double plated Terry to make the score 7-2 after three innings. ETSU closed the gap to 7-4 with two in the fourth. Nathan Copeland tripled and scored on a sac fly from Shannon Carter. Nunley singled and scored later in the inning.
ETSU (20-29, 14-15 SoCon) added one in the sixth, but Furman (23-28-1, 14-13-1 SoCon) responded with a three-run eighth. Etherington and James Bright both singled and scored in the frame. The Bucs answered with three in the home half to make the score 10-8. Sparks had an RBI triple and Chad Boruff had an RBI single.
Furman's Danny Rueckel came in to close out the Bucs in the ninth and earn his third save of the year. Paladin starter Corey Etheridge (5.2 IP, nine hits, five runs) earned the win and improved to 6-7. Buc starter Reid Casey (1.1 IP, six hits, seven runs) fell to 5-9 on the season.
ETSU and Furman will conclude the regular season tomorrow at 1 p.m.