FURMAN DOWNS GARDNER-WEBB 2-1
Furman scored one run in the second and third innings, and the Paladins pitching
staff held Gardner-Webb to four hits and stranded eight Bulldog runners to hold
on for a 2-1 win Wednesday afternoon.
The Paladins (4-8) handed Gardner-Webb (8-8) its first home loss of the season
in four outings in the game, and snapped a six-game winning streak over Southern
Conference teams by GWU.
Furman’s Matthew Betsill led off the top of the second inning with a triple
deep to right center, the scored on an RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Steven
Hildreth to stake the Paladins to an early 1-0 lead off of Gardner-Webb starter
Josh Martin. The Paladins added their final run of the game in the top of the
third inning, as a leadoff double from Nick Wadja resulted in an RBI groundout
from Craig Caudill that would wind up deciding the game – giving Furman
a 2-0 edge on Martin and the ‘Dogs.
Gardner-Webb’s Blake Lalli belted an opposite field solo home run with
two outs in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 2-1, but the Bulldogs
could not get another run across – despite loading the bases in the bottom
of the eighth with only one out.
Furman’s Calvin Hurst, who issued a pair of walks to load the bases in
the eighth, recovered to retire the ‘Dogs in order in the bottom of the
ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season. Reliever Matt Klinker (1-0)
got the win, working 2.0 innings without allowing a hit. Furman’s Case
Cassedy fanned seven Bulldogs in his second start of the season, working 4.0
innings and allowing one run on four hits.
Martin (0-1) got the loss for GWU after working 3.0 innings and allowing both
of Furman’s runs on three hits with a strikeout. Matthew Tafazzoli pitched
4.0 innings of scoreless relief for Gardner-Webb, and was followed by 2.0 innings
of no-hit relief by lefty Brandon Martin to give the ‘Dogs a chance. The
GWU bullpen has pitched 11.0 straight scoreless innings – dating back to
the final 3.0 innings vs. No. 19 Clemson last Wednesday.
Furman managed seven hits on the day, led by Andrew Green (2-for-2) and Betsill
(2-for-4, 3B, run). Gardner-Webb had four different players collect one hit
apiece Wednesday, with Lalli (1-for-3, run, HR, RBI) recording the lone extra
base hit for the ‘Dogs.
The Paladins return to action when they travel to face Louisiana-Lafayette in a three-game series, which begins on Friday with a 7:30 contest.