GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman jumped out to a 4-0 in the first two innings before adding three more in the fourth as UNCG fell to the Paladins, 7-4, in the series opener on Friday evening at Latham Stadium.
Saturday's game that was originally scheduled for 4 p.m. has now been moved to 11 a.m. due to the threat of inclement weather in the Greenville area. That game will now be the first game of a doubleheader as the teams will try to get the final two games of the series in on Saturday.
Furman starter Bobby Lyne picked up his first win of the season despite having a 2.62 ERA. He allowed only three runs, two earned, on seven hits in six innings of work, while striking out five for the Paladins (12-12, 5-4 Southern Conference). Dylan Cole came in to pitch a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his sixth save of the season.
Warren Slack picked up his first loss of the season for UNCG (13-7, 5-2 SoCon) after he gave up seven runs, six earned, in just 3 1/3 innings.
Trevor Edwards led the Spartans at the plate as he went 3-4 with a pair of singles and a double to go along with his two RBI. Thomas Troelstrup went 1-4 with a solo home run, as well.
Aaron Thompkins had a nice evening as he went 2-3 with three RBI and a run scores, while Will Owens had a 2-3 performance with three runs scored.
The scoring came early and often for both teams. Furman got things going in the bottom of the first as Owens led off the game with a single and moved over to third on a double by Thompkins. Owens would score later in the inning to take the early 1-0 lead.
The Paladins were able to extend their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second inning as Thompkins struck again. With the bases loaded, Thompkins delivered a double just inside the first base bag to clear the bases and give the home side a four-run advantage.
UNCG was able to come right back to cut that lead in half in the top of the third inning. With two outs, Chris Barker drew a walk and Bobby Martin followed with a bunt single down the third base line. Edwards then delivered a single up the middle and an error by the Paladin centerfielder allowed Barker and Martin to score and make it 4-2.
The Spartans made it a one-run game when Troelstrup led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to left center to pull UNCG within, 4-3.
That was as close as UNCG would get the rest of the contest as Furman came right back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. A pair of singles put runners on the corners before Thompkins reached on a pair of errors that scored one run and put runners on second and third. Reese Wade singled to center field to score both runners and make it a 7-4 contest.
UNCG wasn't able to get anything else going offensively until the seventh inning. Barker delivered a one-out single and score two batters later on an RBI double down the right field line by Edwards to make it 7-4.
The Spartans and Paladins will meet for a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
AGATE
Furman 7, UNCG 4
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UNCG................ 002 100 100 - 4 9 2 (13-7, 5-2)
Furman.............. 130 300 00X - 7 9 2 (12-12, 4-5)
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Pitchers: UNCG - Warren Slack; Zach Furl(4); Jonathan Jones(5) and Trevor Edwards; Zach Leach. Furman - Bobby Lyne; Jay Friedman(7); Drake Browne(8); Dylan Cole(9) and Paul Nitto.
Win-Bobby Lyne(1-2) Save-Dylan Cole(6) Loss-Warren Slack(3-1) T-2:17 A-274
HR UNCG - Thomas Troelstrup.
Weather: 61 and mostly clear
- UNCG -
