May 23, 2003
VMI KNOCKS OUT FURMAN 2-1
Charleston, SC VMI's Jeremy Harper threw complete game and the Keydets scored two early en route to a 2-1 over Furman in game nine of the Southern Conference Baseball Championships at Riley Park in Charleston, SC.
VMI's Jon Wade had a big hit in the top of the second inning, plating two runs for the Keydets. The Paladins got a run on the board in the bottom of the third inning on a Craig Caudill single to left, scoring one. Furman was unable to score again in the inning, stranding two.
Neither team was unable to put another run on the board, although they both put runners on base. For the game, Furman left nine runners on base while VMI stranded seven.
Furman's Kyle Funk suffered the loss for the Paladins, ending his season at 7-3. VMI's Harper earned the win, improving his record to 4-4. Harper scattered six hits over nine innings while striking out seven.
"It was a great pitching performance by Jeremy Harper he had total control of the game," said VMI head coach Tom Slater. "He kept the hitters off-balance all day." Furman was unable to capitalize on out hitting the Keydets six to four for the game.
"When you score four runs over 27 innings, we were fortunate to win one game," said Furman head coach Ron Smith. "We didn't play defense and swing the bats the way we were capable but the pitching was great the whole tournament."
Wade went 1-for-3 on the day with the two RBI double in the second. Furman's Andrew Greene led the Paladins, going 2-for-4.
The Keydets improve their season record to 24-27 as the Paladins finish their season at 32-24. VMI advances to play the winner of the UNC Greensboro/ College of Charleston game on Saturday, May 24 at 3:30.