SCOOTER MICHAEL LIFTS UNCG TO 7-1 VICTORY OVER FURMAN
GREENSBORO, NC -- Scooter Michael threw a complete game three-hitter in UNCG's 7-1 victory over Furman on Friday night in Southern Conference baseball action. Michael improves to 11-0 on the season, tying Jonathan Jackson (1996) for the second most wins in single-season school history.
Furman jumped out early on Michael and the Spartans however. The Paladins took advantage of a leadoff walk by Clint Hill. Hill advanced to second on a ground out before scoring on Derek Norman's single to right field, giving the Paladins a 1-0 lead.
After being held to just one hit by the Paladin starter, Tom Mastny, the Spartans erupted for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jesse Martin got the inning started with a double down theleft field line. Mike McLain then reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a Paladin throwing error, that scored Martin. Ryan Galligan was next and reached on an infield hit to the shortstop. Another Paladin error scored McLain to put the Spartans up 2-1. The third Paladin error of the inning allowed Galligan to come home and advanced Justin Lee to third. The Spartans struck again as Jason Sarvis doubled to right field, bringing in David Adams. Kirk Strebin was thrown out at the plate on the same play by the Paladins' Craig Caudill. Sarvis scored the Spartans' fifth and final run of the inning on a Justin Saltalamacchia single to right field to give UNCG a commanding 5-1 lead.
The lead was all Michael would need, as he continued to dominate on the mound for UNCG. The sophomore hurler retired 19 of 20 Paladin batsmen in a stretch from the first through the seventh inning. After the Spartans' five run outburst in the seventh, Michael allowed two hits in the eighth, but kept Furman from scoring.
UNCG added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to set the final score at 7-1. Michael closed out the ninth inning with three straight pop flies.
The Spartans improve to 29-18 on the season and 15-9 in Southern Conference play. Furman slips to 20-28 overall and 11-14 in league play. Justin Saltalamacchia went 2-for-4 for the Spartans and drove in one run. Jesse Martin was 1-for-3 and scored two runs. Mike McLain also scored two runs for UNCG. Furman's Derek Norman, Ryan Presnell and Danny Rueckel each picked up one hit on the evening.
The same two teams will meet again on Saturday night at 7 pm in the second game of a three game series.