GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro hit three home runs and scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it was too little, too late as the Spartans fell to Furman, 11-6, on Friday afternoon at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.

Daniel Stallsmith picked up the win for the Paladins (18-35, 10-19 Southern Conference) as he nearly pitched a complete game. He went 8 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on six hits, while walking three and not striking out any batter. Warren Slack suffered the loss after allowing six runs on 11 hits in six innings of work.

The Spartans (20-32, 7-22 SoCon) were led by Ray Quinones and Cody Walker who each had a hit and two RBI. Joey Frabasile and Kris Richards added solo home runs for UNCG as well.

Will Miller paced the Paladins as he went a perfect 5-5 with an RBI and four runs scored. Brian Harrison also had a nice afternoon by going 2-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Dylan Cole added three RBI.

The Spartans were the first team to get on the board as they pushed one run across the plate in the first to take an early lead. With one out, Chris Barker drew a walk and then advanced to second on a single by Corey Overholtzer. Quinones followed with a double to right center two batters later to score Barker and put UNCG ahead, 1-0.

That lead didn't last long though, as Furman responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Miller led off the inning with a triple to right center before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Cole to tie the game. J.B. Jenkins followed with a solo home run to left center to put the Paladins in front, 2-1.

UNCG answered with a run in the bottom of the third to knot the game at two. Harry Slade led off with a walk and advanced to second as Barker was hit by a pitch. A batter later, Lloyd Enzor walked to load the bases. Quinones followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field that allowed Slade to easily score and make it a 2-2 ballgame.

After that walk by Enzor, Stallsmith retired the next 17 Spartans in order on just 53 pitches until Frabasile's home run in the ninth inning.

The Paladins took the lead for good in the top of the fourth inning as Rob Fondu hit an RBI single to right field that scored Cole to give the visitors a 3-2 advantage.

Furman continued to add to its lead as Harrison led off the fifth inning with a solo blast over the left field wall to make it 4-2. Cole would go on to make it 5-2 later in the inning on a RBI single to right field to score Miller.

Will Owens hit a one-out double to left center in the top of the sixth and later scored on a wild pitch to extend the Paladins lead to 6-2.

The Paladins continued to pour on the offense as Miller led off the seventh inning with a double to left center. He advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a single to left field by Jenkins. Jenkins would also go on to score later in the inning on a groundout to make it an 8-2 ballgame.

Furman would go on to tack on three more runs in the top of the eighth, highlighted by Miller's RBI triple, to push its lead to 11-2.

The Spartans were finally able to get to Stallsmith in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough. Frabasile led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. After a groundout, Eric Brindle singled to left field before Walker hit a two-run home run to left field. After a fly out, Richards hit his own home run to left field to make the final score, 11-6.

The Spartans will hit the field for the final time this season on Saturday as they wrap up the three-game series with Furman. UNCG will celebrate Senior Day for seniors Corey Overholtzer and Alex Shelton before the 2 p.m. contest.

AGATE

Furman 11, UNC Greensboro 6
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Furman.............. 020 121 230  - 11 17  0      (18-35, 10-19)
UNC Greensboro...... 101 000 004  -  6  6  1      (20-32, 7-22)
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Pitchers: Furman - Daniel Stallsmith; Jay Friedman(9) and Dylan Cole. UNC Greensboro - Warren Slack; Tyler Hollstegge(7); Wes McBride(7); Zach Furl(8) and Zach Leach.
Win-Daniel Stallsmith(5-2)  Loss-Warren Slack(3-10)  T-2:35  A-117
HR FUR - Brian Harrison; J.B. Jenkins.
HR UNCG - Joey Frabasile; Cody Walker; Kris Richards.
Weather: 79 and mostly sunny

- UNCG -