CHARLOTTE POWERS PAST FURMAN 7-3
Greenville, S.C.--Randall Poplin went 4-for-4 with a grand slam to help Charlotte defeat Furman 7-3 Wednesday afternoon at Furman Baseball Stadium.
With the win, the 49ers improve to 2-2 on the year, while the Paladins fall to 3-1.
Charlotte opened the scoring in the fourth inning when George Sandel singled off Furman starter Tom Mastny, plating Nick Blackmon to give the 49ers a 1-0 lead.
Furman responded in the bottom half of the inning as designated hitter Sam McLain doubled, scoring Derek Norman to tie the game at 1-1.
In the fifth inning, the 49ers regained the lead after a two-run home run by Jamie Rusco. Charlotte then took control of the game in the sixth inning after Poplin blasted a grand slam to left field, pushing Charlotte's lead to 7-1.
The Paladins tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning as Norman lead off the inning with a double. Dominic Frankey followed with a single to left field, moving Norman to third. Freshman Matthew Betsill then drove in Norman after he singled to make the score 7-2. Nick Wajda then cut the lead to 7-3 when he singled to center field, scoring Frankey. Charlotte reliever Justin Brown finally shut-down the rally after he struck-out Drew Latora to end the game.
Matt Savage (1-0) picked up the win for the 49ers, scattering four hits and one run over four innings. Mastny (1-1) suffered the loss for the Paladins, giving up nine hits and three runs in five innings of work.
Charlotte returns to the field on Friday when they take on High Point in Charlotte, N.C. Game time is set for 3:30 pm. Furman will host Niagara on Sunday in a 1:00 pm game.