FURMAN BASEBALL RALLIES PAST UNC GREEENSBORO 9-7; FACES GEORGIA SOUTHERN NEXT
Charleston, S.C.--Furman’s Dominic Frankey recorded a two-run double in the eighth inning to clinch a 9-7 come-from-behind Paladin win over UNC Greensboro in game 12 at the 2002 Wendy’s/Pepsi Southern Conference Tournament in Charleston, SC.
UNC Greensboro (33-22) posted the first two runs of the contest in the top of the third inning as first baseman Justin Lee walked to lead off the frame and later scored on a single by second baseman Jason Sarvis. Center fielder Kirk Strebin also scored on the play after reaching on a single through the left side.
Furman (26-33) fired right back in the bottom of the frame as catcher Drew Latora provided the fireworks and blasted a two-run home run to plate third baseman Derek Norman.
The Spartans answered in the top of the fourth when Lee blasted a two-run homer over the left field scoreboard. UNCG added another run in the fifth as left fielder Ryan Gordon reached on an error and scored on a single by starting pitcher Mike McClain.
The Paladins bounced back in the bottom of the inning with a run as Norman blasted a tape measure solo home run.
The score remained at 5-3 until the top of the seventh when the Spartans scratched across another run to push the advantage to 6-3.
Furman closed the gap to 6-5 in the bottom of the frame as they scored two runs. Pinch hitter Craig Caudill singled to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a single by first baseman Dominic Frankey and the duo scored on a single by left fielder Ryan Presnell.
Spartan third baseman Justin Saltalamacchia singled to center field in the eighth and scored on a double by Gordon.
The Paladins exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to mount the comeback. Caudill started the rally with a single to left field, scoring Rueckel who singled to start off the inning. Cole Hubka scored on a Norman single to tie the game at seven apiece. Dominic Frankey drove in the winning runs with his two-run double to right field that scored Norman and Caudill for the 9-7 margin of victory.
Norman led the Paladins going 4-for-5 with two RBI and a home run. Pitcher Danny Rueckel (5-6) picked up the win for Furman, tossing three strikeouts in three innings.
The Spartans were led by Lee, who was 3-for-4 with three RBI and a home run. Pitcher Aaron Horne (0-3) took the loss for UNCG.
Furman advances to Game 13 to face Georgia Southern at Noon on Saturday in the elimination game. The winner of game 13 will take on College of Charleston in the championship game at 7:00 pm on Saturday. If College of Charleston were to lose Game 14, the championship game would be Game 15 at 1:00 pm on Sunday.