March 5, 2004
FURMAN SOFTBALL TOPS FLORIDA A&M IN EXTRA-INNING THRILLER 6-5, SNAPS 14-GAME SKID
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Furman scored two runs on an error with two outs in the top of the eighth inning to cap off a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Florida A&M and snap a 14-game losing streak Friday night at Osceola Softball Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
Furman opened the eighth inning with Karen Myers being placed on second base according to the international tie breaker rule. Jessica Matthews drew a leadoff walk and Joni Lockridge executed a sacrifice bunt to give Furman runners at second and third with one out.
After Kristy Goodrich popped out to the shortstop, pitcher Rachel Henley hit a chopper to third base. Third baseman Raven Rushton booted the ball and threw it wide of first allowing both Myers and Matthews to score giving the Lady Paladins a 6-4 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, Henley overcame two errors and got Rushton to ground out to third with the tying run on second to end the game.
Florida A&M opened up a 3-0 lead on Furman in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher Ruby Nugent delivered a two-run single and the Rattlers scored a third run on a Lady Paladin error to manufacture the three-run lead.
Kelly Gordon upped Florida A&M's advantage to 4-0 in the fifth lacing a two-out RBI single up the middle to score Javetta Dryer.
Furman began its comeback in the sixth. After having pinch runner Kristen Arnold thrown out at the plate, Myers scored on a passed ball to trim the lead to 4-1.
In the seventh, Henley drew a leadoff walk and Kristin White follwed with a single to left that got by leftfielder Kimberly Saunders allowing pinch runner Sarah Scott to score from first. LaKerah Barr follwed with an RBI single to center making the score 4-3.
After JoDee Eichelberger's sacrifice bunt moved Barr to third, Megan Jaudon hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Barr and even the game at 4-4. With two outs and a runner on third in the bottom of the seventh, Goodrich snagged a line drive to end the threat and send the game into extra innings.
Henley (1-6) earned the win for the Lady Paladins working a complete game and allowing just two earned runs on eight hits.
Barr, who set Furman's career stolen base record on Thursday, went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI versus the Rattlers.
Danielle Brown (7-4) suffered the loss for Florida A&M. Brown surrendered six runs on eight hits while tossing a complete game.
In the first game of the day, Detroit Mercy fashioned a four-run fifth inning on its way to a 5-2 win over the Lady Paladins.
First baseman Lindsey Roy went 1-for-3 with two RBI and two runs to pace the Titans, while pitcher Adrienne Baran limited Furman to six hits and two unearned runs in seven innings to earn the win.
Lady Paladin starter Erica Nesselroad (0-5) suffered the loss allowing five runs in 4.2 innings of work. Goodrich went 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead Furman at the plate.
Furman's win over Florida A&M improves the Lady Paladins to 2-18 on the season while the Rattlers fall to 11-11. The Lady Paladins will return to action on March 9, when they host Monmouth in a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader at Pepsi Stadium.