May 21, 2003
FURMAN EDGES UNC GREENSBORO 3-2
CHARLESTON, SC -- Furman’s Tom Mastny picked up his eighth complete game of the season en route to a 3-2 Paladin win over #4 seed UNC Greensboro in game one of the Southern Conference Baseball Championships at Riley Park in Charleston, SC. The Paladins improve to 32-22 as the Spartans drop to 36-20.
“UNCG stuck in their; they got a couple of runs in the eighth,” said Furman head coach Ron Smith. “They were still hitting the ball hard at the end of the game. Mastny pitched strong and that’s what we needed to win the game.
“It’s important to stay in the winners bracket. We have a 4:00 game tomorrow so our guys will get some time to rest.”
The Paladins put the first run on the board in the fourth inning when Sam McLlain drove in Craig Caudill for the 1-0 lead. UNCG staged the comeback in the eighth inning as Justin Saltalamacchia scored Allen Thomas, who walked to reach base. Jason Sarvis added the second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Kirk Strebin to cut the lead to one. Mastny held the Spartans in the bottom of the ninth inning to clinch the win.
Mastny threw seven strikeouts in the win and extended his scoreless inning
streak to 26 and two-thirds before giving up the unearned runs in the
eighth. UNCG’s Scooter Michael went seven and one-third innings, throwing
two K’s and picking up two earned runs. Jarrett Santos finished the game
forthe Spartans with two strikeouts in one and two-thirds innings.
“Our focus was fine today,” said UNCG’s head coach Mike Gaski. “We just needed another good pitching performance and more hitting. A good nights rest will help a good deal.”
Furman will play the winner of the Western Carolina/Davidson game at 4:00 pm
on May 22 while UNCG takes on the loser of the same game at 10:00 am on May.
22.