Furman Completes Sweep of Seahawks with 4-2 Win

WILMINGTON, N.C.  ­ Aided by five UNC Wilmington errors and a complete game effort by freshman righthander Meagan Johnson, Furman completed a weekend sweep of UNC Wilmington with a 4-2 win Sunday in Southern Conference softball action at Boseman Field.    With the win, Furman moves into second place in the SoCon with a conference mark of 5-1 and 11-10 overall. The Seahawks fall to 12-17 and 0-6 in the conference play.   

Johnson (2-4) scattered five hits in posting her third complete game of the season, while hitting a batter and striking out three. At one point, the Georgetown, S.C., native retired 12 consecutive batters before allowing a two-out single in the sixth to UNCW centerfielder Summer Chrisco.    The Paladins struck for a run in the top of the first when sophomore centerfielder LaKerah Barr moved to third on a single by junior designated hitter Ali McNulty and scored when the throw to the plate got away from the catcher. Barr reached base with one out on a Seahawk error and moved into scoring position with her ninth stolen base of the season.    Junior third baseman Kate Morrison extended the Paladins lead to 2-0 in the third with on a two-out single plating Barr, who walked with one-out to start the rally. Barr scored three runs to pace the Paladins and swiped a pair of bases.    Furman added a pair of insurance runs in the topof the sixth on a one-out double to the left centerfield wall by freshman rightfielder Jessica Matthews. Matthew finished the afternoon 2-for-3.   

UNC Wilmington managed just five hits on the day, but rallied with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Senior third baseman Audrey White reached on a fielder¹s choice and junior rightfielder Tiffany Lindemann followed with a looping single to left. Both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Junior first baseman Chrissy Freaney broke up the shutout with a full count, two-out double to right center scoring White and Lindemann.    Lindemann and Chriscoe each went 2-for-3 to lead the Seahawks. Junior southpaw Megan Clingman (5-7) suffered the loss allowing four runs, two earned, and six hits in 5.1 innings.   

Furman continues its Southern Conference slate Friday with a 1 p.m. twinbill against Appalachian State.