UNC ASHEVILLE BLANKS FURMAN 7-0
Asheville, N.C. - Judson Ballard pitched eight strong innings and allowed just two hits, while Bill Carley added three hits and a home run as UNC Asheville blanked Furman 7-0 at Greenwood Field Wednesday afternoon.
The victory snapped a five-game Bulldog (15-19) losing streak. The Paladins fell to 18-24 on the season.
Ballard (4-3) was dominating. He retired the first nine hitters of he game before hitting Clint Hill to lead off the fourth inning. Ballard did not allow a hit until the fifth inning and even that was up for debate. Danny Rueckel sent a ball to deep right field that skipped off the glove of right-fielder Matt Roberts. The ball was ruled a hit and Rueckel had a triple. Furman got its second hit of the game in clean fashion in the seventh when Ryan Presnell singled to left field.The junior right-hander allowed just two hits, struck out four and walked one.
Brad Beck pitched the final inning for Asheville and gave up just one hit.
The Bulldogs got on the board quickly. Matt Roberts was hit by a pitch. Jake McConiga singled to put runners on first and second. Grant Rembert tripled to right-center to score both runs for a 2-0 Asheville lead. Carley followed with a run-scoring double for a 3-0 lead. Two wild pitchers from starter Tom Mastny (4-5) scored Carley for a 4-0 Bulldog lead.
Israel Victor had an RBI-single in the third for a 5-0 UNCA lead.Carley hit his fifth homer of the year in the fifth to push the Bulldog lead to 6-0. Scott Stotlar drove in UNCA's final run of the game in the eighth with a fielders' choice.
Furman takes the weekend off before returning to action on Tuesday when the Paladins tavel to Athens to face Georgia. The game is slated to start at 4:00 p.m.