May 6, 200
LATE HOME RUNS POWER FURMAN PAST WOFFORD 8-6;
PALADINS SET NEW SEASON VICTORY RECORD
GREENVILLE -- Ryan Presnell and Justin Maderer combined for a pair of home runs in a decisive eighth inning to lead Furman past Wofford 8-6 and three-game series sweep over the Terriers in Southern Conference baseball action Sunday at Furman Stadium.
In posting the win Furman (30-21, 18-11 SoCon) set a new single season record for victories, breaking the old mark of 29 wins set in 1997 and notched its ninth straight triumph over Wofford (16-28, 9-14 SoCon) dating back to 1998. The win also solidified the Paladins' hold on third place in the conference standings.
For the second straight game Wofford scored first, using a pair of hit batsmen and three hits off Paladin starting pitcher Toby David to grab a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.
The Terriers made it 4-0 in the seventh on a D.J. Rhodes sacrifice fly before the Paladins roared back with five runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by Dominic Frankey off Wofford starter George Lehr that gave Furman a 5-4 lead.
A Steve Casey two-run single in the eighth inning off Paladin reliever Rob Purvis put Wofford ahead 6-5, but Furman answered with a three decisive runs in the bottom of the frame. After Derek Norman opened the inning with a fly out, Brian Presnell deposited a Keith Sturkie pitch over the center field fence to tie the contest at 6-6. The next batter, Danny Rueckel, walked and scored when Justin Maderer belted the Paladins' second home run of the inning over the left field fence to give the Paladins an 8-6 lead.
Rueckel (4-2), who pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, retired the Terriers in order in the ninth to secure the win.
Furman, which pounded out 41 hits in the weekend sweep of the Terriers, was paced at the plate by Presnell (3-for-4, RBI, double, home run, 2 runs), Maderer ( 2-for-4, 3 RBI, double, home run, 2 runs), and Dominic Frankey (2-for-4, 3 RBI, home run).
Brian Casey went 2-for-5 with two RBI to pace Wofford.
Furman returns to action on Tuesday when it plays at High Point in a 3:00 p.m. game. The Paladins return home on Wednesday to host Clemson in the regular season finale beginning at 7:00 p.m.