March 26, 2000
FURMAN COMPLETES SWEEP OF WESTERN
CULLOWHEE, N.C. --- Furman hit four home runs, including two by Chris Valdes, en route to a 13-9 victory over Western Carolina at Hennon Stadium Sunday afternoon. The win gave the Paladins their first ever three-game sweep of the Catamounts.
Valdes put Furman on the board with two-run home run to center field in the first. Valdes then extended Furman's lead to 3-1 lead in the top of the third with his second home run of the afternoon. Valdes was 2-for-5 with two runs and four runs batted in.
The Catamounts scored four runs in the third to take the lead a 5-3 lead, three off the bat of freshman Alan Beck. Beck launched a three-run shot to straight away center field, his second home run of the season. Junior Charles Thomas scored the Cats' first run of the inning following a fielding error by the rightfielder. Freshman Rod Goldston followed Thomas' lead-off single with double into right field, advancing to third on the error. Sophomore Morgan Frazier was the hit by a pitch to set the stage for Beck.
After adding two runs in the sixth inning, WCU held a 7-4. Senior Austin Smithwick, who led off with a bunt single, scored after freshman Jeremy Hamrick was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Senior Tracy Biggs scored the Cats' second run of the inning as junior Charles Thomas grounded out. Biggs also reached via bunt single in the inning. Furman exploded for seven runs in its half of the seventh to take a 13-7 lead. Ryan Richetti homered to center field with one-out to start the Paladin rally. Four consecutive singles pulled Furman within a run and a bases loaded walked tied the score at seven. James Bright then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, giving Furman a one-run lead. Western pitchers then hit four straight batters, scoring three more runs.
Corey Etheridge (3-4) picked up his third victory of the season, tossing seven inning allowing seven runs, issuing two walks and striking out a pair. Seth Foster was charged with his third loss of the season.
Ryan Presnell and Will Daugs each recorded three hits today. Charles Thomas led the Catamounts with three hits and scored two runs. Beck also drove in three runs for WCU.