GEORGIA SOUTHERN ROUTS FURMAN 11-3
Greenville, S.C.-- Brett Lewis scattered six hits and one run over seven innings of work, and Chris Walker went 1-for-4 with three runs batted in to lead Georgia Southern to an 11-3 routing of Furman in Friday night baseball action at Furman Baseball Stadium.
Georgia Southern (17-7, 7-0 SoCon) opened the scoring in the second inning as the Eagles scored six runs off three hits and two Paladin errors. Rocky Baker started the Eagles off by reaching on an error by shortstop Danny Rueckel. Baker later scored on a Carlos Love single to give Georgia Southern a 1-0 lead. J.R. Revere followed with a single to left field, plating Love, and Chris Walker continued the scoring with a triple off starter Corey Etheridge (1-5), driving in three runs to give the Eagles a commanding 6-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the second inning, Drew Latora led-off with a single to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, but was later thrown out at second when Nick Wajda reached on a fielderšs choice. Later in the inning Wajda scored when Danny Rueckel singled to right field off Brett Lewis (5-2), cutting the Eagle's lead to 6-1.
After a quiet third inning, Georgia Southern exploded for three more runs in the fourth, chasing Etheridge from the mound after three innings of work.
The Eagles added a run in the fifth inning as J.R Revere stole second, third and home after reaching on a single to give Georgia Southern a 10-1 lead.
Furman tried to rally in the ninth inning as Dominic Frankey blasted a two-run home run, but relief pitcher Scott Tolbert retired the side to seal the victory for Georgia Southern.
The Paladins try to snap their five game losing streak on Saturday when the two teams meet again for game two of the series. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.