DAVIDSONšS FREND SHUTS OUT FURMAN 3-0
Greenville, S.C.-- Davidson senior Tim Frend pitched a complete game shutout, notching a career high 14 strikeouts in the process, giving the Wildcats a 3-0 victory over Furman in baseball action Friday night at Furman Baseball Stadium.
With the win, Davidson improves to 14-21 overall and 6-10 in the Southern Conference, while the Paladins fall to 14-20 on the year and 6-10 in conference play.
Davidson scored the game's only runs in the third inning after jumping on Furman starter Tom Mastny (3-4). After retiring the first batter, Mastny gave up a double to Eli Benefield. Stephen Aldrich followed with an infield hit to Mastny, which allowed him to reach first, while moving Benefield to third. Jack Purcell and D.J. Dailey then came up with back-to-back RBI singles to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. Davidson later added another run in the inning when Tim Frend drove in Purcell on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3-0.
In the bottom of the third, the Paladins had their first scoring opportunity of the game when Frend (3-3) gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases. However, the right-hander settled down, striking out Derek Norman and Drew Latora to get out of the jam.
Furman again tried to get on the board in the seven inning after Nick Wajda tripled to centerfield with two outs, but Frend kept the shut out intact by striking out Cole Hubka to end the inning.
After the Davidson third inning, Mastny settled down to pitch a complete game, allowing, only three runs on nine hits and struck out nine, but still took the loss.
This was Davidsonšs first shut out since the Wildcats blanked High Point 4-0 in the opening game of the 2001 season. Furman suffered its last shut out against The Citadel in a 3-0 loss last season.
The two teams take aim at each other on Saturday in game two of the three game series. The first pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m.