May 11, 2003
FURMAN COMPLETES THREE-GAME SWEEP OF EAST TENNESSEE STATE WITH 9-4 VICTORY
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Sam McLain’s three-run double keyed a six-run fifth inning to lead Furman to a 9-4 Southern Conference win and three-game series sweep of East Tennessee State Sunday afternoon at Furman Stadium.
In posting its fourth straight win in as many days and fifth victory in its last six conference games, Furman (28-21, 17-13 SoCon) pounded out 16 hits against Buccaneer pitching. Every Paladin starter collected a base knock, including three each by Case Cassedy and Drew Latora. Derek Norman went 2-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs in addition to belting his second home run of the season.
Kyle Funk (6-2) pitched six innings to earn the victory for the Paladins, surrendering four runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking one.
Currently sixth in the Southern Conference standings, Furman, whose conference season is now complete, is one game ahead of seventh place VMI. Both teams have nailed down bids to this Southern Conference Tournament, scheduled to begin May 21 at Charleston’s Joseph P. Riley Park.
East Tennessee State (14-33, 9-17 SoCon), which was paced by Tim Turner, who went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, dropped its sixth straight game and fell one game behind Davidson for the eighth and final tournament qualifying slot.
Furman opened the scoring in the third inning when Andrew Greene scored on a fielder’s choice groundout. The Paladins tallied again in the fifth inning, scoring six runs on five hits. After Craig Caudill reached first on an error to open the inning, the Paladins strung together four straight hits, including a three-run double to center field by McLain to make it 4-0. Cassedy followed with a double to chase Buccaneer starter Jarrod Hyder (6-3), and Cole Hubka walked to load the bases. Latora’s infield single plated McLain, and Buccaneer reliever Josh Kite then walked Greene to force in Cassedy for the inning’s fifth run. Hubka completed the six-run rally for a 7-0 advantage when he scored on a double play off the bat of Clint Hill.
Furman increased its lead to 8-0 in the bottom of the sixth when Norman deposited a pitch by East Tennessee State’s Beau Alford over the left field fence.
East Tennessee State answered with four runs on five hits in the seventh off Funk to make it 8-4. Opening with three straight singles, the Buccaneers’ Steven Calicutt scored the first run on a throwing error by Paladin leftfielder Craig Caudill. Turner then followed with his third home run of the year, a three-run home run to left field off Funk. After yielding a single to Bo Calloway, Funk was relieved by Calvin Hurst, who retired the next three batters to end the uprising.
The Paladins came back with a run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 9-4 when Andrew Greene reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second, and came home on a Caudill single to right field. \After five games in five days, Furman will take Monday off before returning to action on Tuesday versus Clemson, who the Paladins defeated 10-8 on Thursday. Game time is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.