GREENSBORO, NC Aaron Thompkins hit a pinch hit RBI single in the 11th inning to spoil a terrific pitching effort by Spartan starter Matt Parish as Furman defeated UNC Greensboro, 3-2, in 11 innings on Thursday evening at Latham Stadium.
Reliever Nick Karow picked up his first win of the season after tossing two no-hit innings of relief for the Paladins (22-28, 10-18 SoCon). The Furman pitchers combined to throw a season-high 16 strikeouts.
Parish picked up a no decision on the evening despite leaving the game with a 2-0 lead and allowing only two hits in 7 1/3 innings. Rob Gilliam was credited with the loss for the Spartans (18-29, 5-21 SoCon) after allowing two runs on three hits, despite striking out seven.
Brian Harrison led off the 11th inning with a walk before stealing second. After the next two batters struck out looking, Campbell Lewis was issued an intentional walk to put runners on first and second. Thompkins then came in to pinch hit and hit a single through the left side of the infield to score Harrison from second.
After neither team was able to able to get on the board early in the game, it appeared as if the Spartans had finally broken through in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Joey Frabasile hit a towering shot down the left line, but the third base umpire ruled the ball foul to keep the game scoreless.
Parish cruised through the first four innings and carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth inning. It looked as if he would take his no-hitter into the sixth, but Harrison hit a high chopper to the second baseman and barely beat the throw to first for the first Paladin hit.
The Spartans responded in the top of the sixth inning with a pair of runs to give Parish some run support. Corey Overholtzer and Pedro Leon hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. After a Spartan pop out, Drew Gehringer hit a double off the base of the centerfield wall to score Overholtzer and give UNCG a 1-0 lead. Pinch hitter John Cucchiarella hit a fly ball to right field that was just deep enough to allow Leon to score from third and put the Spartans ahead, 2-0.
Parish exited the game with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning with a runner on first after allowing just two hits during the evening. Justin Holloway took advantage of Parish's departure and delivered a triple down the right field line to score Rose and pull Furman within 2-1. Harrison then hit another high chopper for an infield single to score Holloway and knot the game at 2.
The Spartans and Paladins return to play on Friday evening at 6 p.m. at Latham Stadium. Friday's game was originally scheduled for a 7 p.m. first pitch.
AGATE
Furman 3, UNC Greensboro 2
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UNC Greensboro........000 002 000 00 - 2 8 0 (18-29)
Furman.................... 000 000 020 01 - 3 5 1 (22-27)
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Matt Parish, Rob Gilliam. Furman Ian Parry, Spencer Hale, Stephen Gary, Nick Karow.
Win- Nick Karow (1-0) Loss- Rob Gilliam (4-6) T-3:15 A-259
- UNCG -
