May 6, 2001

Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN BATS EXPLODE FOR 10-1 WIN OVER GEORGIA SOUTHERN

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- Furman's Lady Paladin softball team advanced to the championship game of the Southern Conference Tournament Sunday with a 10-1 win over the Eagles of Georgia Southern.

GSU took an early lead in the bottom of the second inning when Shannan Hoobin singled to right field, advanced to second on a groundout, took third on a passed ball, and scored when Suzanne Pansula singled to the shortstop.

The top of the fourth inning started out innocently enough, with Kelli Leachman grounding out in the leadoff spot for Furman. Senior Kelly Jack reached on a walk, then Alison McNulty started a nine-hit Lady Paladin rally with a single to left center. When the dust had cleared and the third out was finally recorded, the Lady Paladins had scored 10 runs on nine hits and left two runners on base. In the course of the inning, every member of the Furman lineup scored and everyone got a hit with the exception of Kay Brittain, who walked in her at-bat. Furman also managed three doubles in the inning, tying the season superlative for doubles in a game.

With the win, Furman improves to 28-28 on the year while Georgia Southern fell to 25-33. The Lady Paladins advanced to the championship game of the SoCon Championship, slated for 5 p.m. Sunday against top-seeded Chattanooga. The game will be broadcast on CSS.

Furman 000 10 0 10R, 13H, 1E

GSU 010 00 1R, 6H, 0E

Win - Hacker (14-12)

Loss - Kammerer (7-8)