DAYTON WINS SUSPENDED GAME 12-9; FURMAN TAKES SECOND GAME 11-6
Greenville, S.C.--Shawn Bolinger went 2-for-4 with five RBI to lead Dayton past Furman,12-9, in Tuesday's suspended game, but Derek Norman's two home runs helped the Paladins take the second game from the Flyers, 11-6, in baseball action Wednesday afternoon at Furman Baseball Stadium.
With the series split, Furman moves to 9-16 on the year, while Dayton pushes its record to 11-6.
In the first game, Dayton took an early 1-0 lead when Shawn Bolinger grounded out, plating Rory Thorton. After completing the top of the second inning, heavy rain forced the suspension of the game, which was completed before the beginning of Wednesdayıs game. Brian Corcoran took over for Tuesdayıs starter Corey Etheridge (1-6), and proceeded to give up two runs, allowing the Flyers to take a 3-0 lead.
Furman got on the board in the seventh inning after Craig Caudill singled to center field, scoring Nick Wadja. Cole Hubka followed with a ground out, which drove in Brandon Barrett, cutting Dayton's lead to 5-2.
The Flyers, however, took a commanding 12-2 lead in the eighth as they scored seven runs off three hits, three walks, and one error. The Paladins put together a rally over the final two innings, scoring seven runs off eight hits to trim the lead to 12-9. Their effort was highlighted by a Dominic Frankey grand slam to left field in the bottom of the ninth, but Dayton reliever Aaron Pahs shut down the Paladins to pick up his second save of the year.
Jason Hanson (1-0) scattered two hits over six innings to pick up the win.
In the second game, Derek Norman hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to give the Paladins a 2-0 lead.
Furman extended its lead in the second inning as the Paladins scored five runs off starter Jerry Blevins (0-1) to take a 7-0 lead. In the inning, Norman blasted his second home run of the night, while Richie Dean, Brett Henninger, and Jon Stallsmith drove in one run each.
The Paladins continued to score in the fourth after Drew Latora singled in Clint Hill and Dominic Frankey had a sacrifice fly to give Furman a 9-0 advantage.
Dayton tried to rally in the seventh inning, scoring five runs off four hits and two Paladin errors to cut the lead to 11-6, but relievers Jeff Stovall and Tom Mastny combined to pitch the final two innings to close out the Flyers.
Furman starter Patrick Griffin (1-1) pitched five innings, allowing six hits and one run to earn the win.
The Paladins return to action when they travel to Cullowhee, N.C. to face Western Carolina in a three-game Southern Conference series. The first game is slated for Friday at 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday's Suspended Game Box Score