FURMAN DOWNS VMI BASEBALL 15-5
Lexington,Va. -- Furman's Danny Rueckel (3-3) went 4-for-6 with six RBI, including two doubles and a home run, along with picking up the win on the mound, as Furman defeated VMI, 15-5, Sunday afternoon at Patchin Field.
Furman (13-19, 6-9 SoCon) got on the board quickly, scoring five runs in the top of the first. The inning was highlighted by RBI singles by Nick Wadja, Ryan Presnell and Rueckel. Furman added to its lead in the second with a solo home run by Derek Norman to left field, pushing the score to 6-0.
VMI (8-21, 0-11 SoCon) cut into Furman's lead in the bottom half of the second, courtesy of back-to-back RBI singles by Jason Annis and Henry Lynch, making it 6-2.
Rueckel's RBI-double, his first on the afternoon, helped spark a three-run fourth inning that extended the Paladin lead to 9-3.
VMI scored one run in both the fourth and fifth innings as Chris Brooks and Andy Barden blasted solo home runs.
Clint Hill helped fuel a three-run eighth inning with his two-run single to center field. Rueckel capped-off the scoring in the ninth with a three-run home run to left center.
In addition to Rueckel's effort, Derek Norman went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and Clint Hill had three hits and two RBI to help lead the Paladins past the Keydats.
VMI returns to action on Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. at Howard, while Furman travels to Georgia State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Atlanta, Ga.