GEORGIA SOUTHERN DEFEATS FURMAN 6-3
Statesboro, Ga.--Georgia Southern used a Greg Dowling grand slam in the bottom of the fifth and a strong starting pitching performance from Brian Harrison to defeat Furman 6-3 and win the three-game series two games to one.
Georgia Southern’s (12-4, 4-1 Southern Conference) big inning started when James Payne led off the fifth with a walk, and moved to second when Brandon Long reached on an error. Rocky Baker drew a walk to load the bases and chase Furman starter Kyle Funk.
Paladin reliever Ryan Hudson's first pitch to Dowling was drilled to just left of straightaway center field to give GSU a 6-1 lead. The Eagles collected two more hits in the inning, but Jon Stallsmith stopped the rally with an Adam DeLoach fly out to center.
Furman (8-6, 1-2 Southern Conference) managed two runs in the ninth. Richie Dean drew a walk from Harrison, who was lifted for Kevin Culpepper. Pinch-hitter Stephen Hildreth and first baseman Dominic Frankey laced back-to-back singles, with Frankey's driving in Dean to make the score 6-2. Drew Latora followed by reaching on an error that plated Frankey and run the count to 6-3, but Culpepper settled down to record the three straight outs to end the game.
Georgia Southern jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Brandon Long led off the frame with a base hit and moved up a bag on a steal. Brendan Gilligan moved Long to third on a sacrifice bunt before Rocky Baker chased Long home with a sacrifice fly to left.
Furman answered with one run in the top of the third. Nick Wajda started the inning with a double into right center. A. J. Davidiuk moved Wajda to third with a bunt ahead of Clint Hill's RBI ground out.
Georgia Southern returns to the diamond on Tuesday and Wednesday, hosting Binghamton at J.I. Clements Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. for both games. Furman takes on Winthrop on Wednesday at Furman Baseball Stadium. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.