CHARLOTTE DOWNS FURMAN 4-2
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Michael Roane scored on an error in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie and help lift Charlotte to a 4-2 win over Furman in baseball action Wednesday night at Furman Stadium.
With one out in the seventh, Roane walked and advanced to second on a infield single by Cory Lane, but Paladin third baseman Derek Norman’s throw got past first baseman Matthew Betsill, allowing Roane to score the go-ahead run.
Charlotte (13-6) added an insurance run in the ninth inning when designated hitter Randall Poplin belted a home run to left field off Paladin reliever Ryan Hudson.
Charlotte starting pitcher Spencer Steedley (1-2) earned the victory after working 6.0 innings and allowing three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out seven.
Adam Mills picked up his fourth save of the season after pitching one-hit ball over the final three innings. In the ninth Mills induced a game ending double play off the bat of Furman’s Dominic Franchini after Craig Caudill doubled with one out and Derek Norman reached on a fielding error by 49er third baseman Adam Floyd.
Furman (7-13) managed only four hits, while striking out 12 times. Charlotte touched up Paladin pitchers for just five base knocks.
Paladin starter Case Cassedy, who yielded a lead off home run to Thomas Bowker to start the game, surrendered only three hits and one earned run while striking out five in 5.0 innings of work. Paladin Matt Klinker (1-1) absorbed the loss despite allowing only one hit over two innings, including the decisive unearned run in the seventh.
After falling behind 2-0 lead in the top of the first, Furman rallied to tie the game with two runs in the bottom of the frame on Franchini’s two-run home run, his third of the season.
Furman returns to action on Friday when it opens a three-game Southern Conference series at UNC Greensboro beginning at 7:00 p.m.