MASTNY MASTERS THE CITADEL 5-0
Greenville, S.C.--Tom Mastny pitched a complete game shutout against The Citadel, surrendering only five hits and one walk en route to a 5-0 victory Saturday afternoon at a rain-soaked Furman Baseball Stadium.
With the win, the Paladins improve to 19-25 on the year and 10-12 in conference play, while the Bulldogs fall to 25-20, and 18-7 in the league.
Furman jumped on Citadel starter T.A. Fulmer (5-3) in the first inning, scoring two runs off three hits and an error. Craig Caudill produced the Paladin's first run after a wild pitch from Fulmer followed by a throwing error by catcher Will Coker that allowed him to score from second base. Later Drew Latora had an RBI single, which scored Derek Norman to give Furman a 2-0 lead.
After Fulmer issued a walk to Danny Rueckel in the second inning, Cole Hubka followed with a single to right field, which moved Ruckel to third. However, an error by Brook Danztler allowed Rueckel to score, giving the Paladins a 3-0 advantage. The Citadel put pressure on Mastny in the first inning as the lead-off man was hit by a pitch and Chip Cannon later walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. Mastny got out of the jam as Matt Dean grounded out to end the inning.
Mastny settled down after the first inning, scattering three hits over the next three innings and then going on to retire the next 11 of the 12 batters he faced.
A home run by Dominic Frankey in the sixth inning and another solo shot in the eighth inning by Derek Noman pushed the Paladins lead to 5-0.
Mastny (5-5) gave up two hits in the ninth, but a double play and his tenth strike out of the day sealed the victory for the Paladins. His ten strike-outs ties a career high for the right-handed pitcher. He also had ten strike-outs against the College of Charleston last year in a 9-1 victory.
Due to inclement weather, the double header on Saturday between the Citadel and Furman has been moved to a double header on Sunday. The first game is slated to start at 1:00 p.m.