March 14, 2003
#23 UNC GREENSBORO ROUTS FURMAN 14-4
Greenville, S.C.-- Ryan Gordon, Jason Saltalamacchia, and Clay Wehner each belted home runs, and Jay Metzger (3-0) pitched five plus innings, allowing only four hits and no runs as #23 UNC Greensboro defeated Furman 14-4 Friday night at Furman Baseball Stadium.
With the win, the Spartans improve to 15-3 on the year, 3-1 in the Southern Conference, while the Paladins drop to 8-8 and 1-3 in conference play.
UNCG jumped on Furman starter Patrick Griffin (2-2) in the first inning, scoring two runs off two hits and three errors. Jason Sarvis drove in the first run as his single to right field got past Cole Hubka, allowing Allen Thomas to score from first. Sarvis later scored when Saltalamacchia reached on a fielding error by third baseman Matthew Betsill, giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
The Spartans continued the scoring in the second inning when David Adams’ double brought in Jay Maule, extending UNCG’s lead to 3-0. Griffin then issued a walk to Sarvis, and Saltalamacchia followed with a three-run blast to left field, pushing the Spartans’ lead to 6-0.
UNCG struck again in the third inning after Wehner connected for a two-run home run, making the score 8-0. Gordon then belted a two-run home run in the fourth inning, giving the Spartans a commanding 10-0 advantage.
Furman scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the seventh when Clint Hill singled through the middle, scoring Case Cassedy and Sam McLain. However, UNCG responded in its next two at bats, plating four runs off four hits to push its lead to 14-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitter Coogie Freedman singled to right field to lead-off the inning. Cassedy then singled through the middle to put runners on first and second. Next Andrew Greene doubled to center field, driving in Freedman and Cassedy to cut the Spartans’ lead to 14-4. However, Chris Mason struck-out Chris Pearce to end the game and the Paladin rally.
UNCG was led by Gordon, who went 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored. Hill led Furman’s bats going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
The two teams face-off again tomorrow at Furman Baseball Stadium in a 2:00 pm game. The game was originally scheduled for 6:00 pm, but was moved to 2:00 pm due to the threat of inclement weather.