NORMAN, FURMAN SLIP PAST PHOENIX 6-4
ELON COLLEGE, NC -- SS Derek Norman led off the ninth inning with a solo home run to snap a 4-4 tie and pace Furman to a 6-4 nonconference victory over Elon at Newsome Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Paladins (22-18) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, an explosion ignited by CF Clint Hill's lead-off homer. A fielding error by Phoenix SS Brian Ingram led to three unearned Furman runs when Norman scored from first base off of the miscue and catcher Brandon Barrett later smacked a two-run, two-out double down the left field line.
Elon (22-18) eventually responded with one run in the third frame and three in the sixth. CF Jason Tuttle scored from second base thanks to a third-inning fielding error by Paladin 2B Charlie Hahl, putting the Phoenix on the scoreboard.
In the sixth, Elon catcher Kevin Norden singled down the right field line, plating LF Michael Hromodka. Just two batters later, Tuttle forced a fielder's choice to score 3B Morgan Frazier. Ingram's double to left center would then score Tuttle and even the count at 4-4.
After Norman's ninth-inning solo blast broke the deadlock, Barrett added an insurance run with an RBI single that knocked in LF Ryan Presnell. The Phoenix had outhit the Paladins 12-7, but committed two errors to Furman's one. Each team stranded 11 runners.
Paladin lefty Jeff Stovall (1-2) pitched two and 1/3 innings in relief to earn his first victory in 13 appearances this year. Starter Danny Rueckel (four IP, five hits, no ER, two BB, three SO) and reliever Kyle Funk (one and 2/3 IP, four hits, three ER, two BB, no SO) set the scene for Stovall (three hits, no ER, no BB, no SO). Closer Rusty Putnam allowed one walk in an otherwise perfect ninth-inning appearance to log his first save of the season.
Elon reliever Adam Acosta (3-4) pitched the game's final two innings in the loss, surrendering two earned runs on four hits despite fanning five Paladins and walking none. Starter Brad Pinkerton had worked six innings on the mound, giving up only one earned run on three hits while striking out 10 batters but giving eight free passes. Presnell (2-for-4, 2B, SB, run) and Barrett (2-for-4, 2B, three RBI) led the Furman offense while Frazier (3-for-4, run), Tuttle (2-for-4, SB, two runs, RBI), Norden (2-for-4, RBI) and 1B Jim Swenson (2-for-5) paced the Phoenix.
The Paladins return to action on Friday, April 20, at Furman Baseball Stadium where they will face Southern Conference rival Western Carolina in a three game weekend series. The first pitch is scheduled 7:00 p.m.