DAVIDSON, N.C.-- On a picture-perfect day for baseball, the Furman Paladins put a halt to Davidson's six-game winning streak by sweeping the Wildcats in a doubleheader, 9-3 and 5-1. With the two wins, Furman takes the season-series from Davidson, 2-1.
Game one saw Furman (10-3, 2-1 Southern Conference) score runs in each of the first six innings and never look back. Clint Hill opened the game with a walk and proceeded to advance to third on a bad pickoff. Catcher Derek Norman picked up the RBI with a groundout to first, giving the Paladins a 1-0 lead after the first half inning.
After scoring one run in the second and third innings, the Paladins broke the game open in the top of the fourth. With two outs and Hill on first, Furman began a three-run rally. Norman walked to move Hill to second, and then Chris Valdes singled to load the bases. Ryan Presnell, Dominic Frankey and Cole Hubka followed with another single, a walk and a single to knock in three runs. Junior Mark Wells (1-1) finally got out of the inning by striking out Danny Rueckel.
Corey Etheridge (2-1), Furmanšs starter, faced the minimum amount of batters through four innings before Davidson (6-2, 1-2) could get the offense going. Juniors James Marino and Billy Ryan started the fifth with a single and double, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. Seniors Cassidy Lundin and Dylan Deal each had run-producing grounders to short, cutting the deficit to 7-2.
However, Furman had an answer in the top of the sixth as Adam Etherington hit a two-out, two-run double to push the lead back to seven at 9-2.
Etheridge pitched eight strong innings for Furman, only giving up two runs on five hits and a walk. Frankey and Norman each had two hits and two RBI for the Paladins in game one.
Once again in game two, Furman pounced on Davidson early and cruised to victory. After pitching a perfect first, senior Wes Self (2-1) got into trouble in the second. Rueckel, Justin Maderer and Etherington all had hits with two outs leading to three Paladin runs. Etherington was a perfect three-for-three and had two RBI in the second game for Furman.
The leadoff hitters for Furman got on in the top halves of the third and fourth innings and each scored, giving the visitors a 5-0 lead which Toby David (3-0) would not relinquish. David pitched the complete seven innings while only allowing six hits and one run.
Junior Tim Frend hit his third home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth for the only Wildcat run.
The Paladins now rest for one day before taking on nationally ranked Clemson on Wednesday February 28 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.