FURMAN SPLITS TWINBILL WITH WOFFORD
Wofford rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth for a 6-4 game-one victory over Furman before the bat and arm of Danny Rueckel led the Paladins to a 10-5 win in the second game of a doubleheader this afternoon at Duncan Park in Spartanburg, S.C.
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Strat Stavrou, Tony Carbone, and Matt Lein had consecutive two-out RBI singles to key the Terrier victory.
George Lehr (11-2) pitched scoreless ball over the final 1.2 innings in relief to earn his 11th victory of the year and tie the Wofford single-season school record for wins, shared by Mike Dennis (1988) and Chad McLain (1991). Lehr also pulled even with Tim Stauffer of Richmond for the nation's lead in victories.
Wofford (21-20, 9-9) attempted another rally in the second game. The Terriers scored three runs in the eighth with none out to close within 7-5, before Rueckel came on to record the final six outs for his first save of the year. His three-run homer in the top of the ninth put the game away and provided the final margin. It was his second homer on the day. He also went deep in the first game in going a combined 5-for-9 at the plate with five RBI.
Lehr made just his third start of the year in the second game and went five innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three and walking three.
Furman starter Jeff Stovall (3-2) surrendered just two runs on seven hits over seven innings in his longest outing of the season. He struck out three and walked two.
The Paladins (18-22, 9-12) led 3-2 after five innings before a two-run double by Craig Caudill highlighted a three-run sixth to give Furman a 6-2 advantage. Caudill, who totaled three hits and three RBI in the game, then added a run-scoring single in the eighth to extend the Paladin margin to 7-2.
Wofford opened the bottom of the eighth with four consecutive hits, including a two-run pinch-hit double by David Dufour and a run-scoring double from Scott Holloway to close within 7-5 with no one out. However, Rueckel then entered the game and escaped without any further damage.
Lein and Brian Casey had two hits in each game for Wofford. Clint Hill and Ryan Presnell had three hits in the opening game with Hill adding two more hits in game two.