Baseball 3/30/2012 8:00:00 PM UNCGSpartans.com

Furman topples UNCG, 11-3

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Furman's Paul Nitto drove in a career-high six runs and the Paladins' bullpen threw four hitless innings as Furman defeated UNCG, 11-3, at UNCG Baseball Stadium on Friday evening.

Furman (14-13, 4-6 SoCon) scored early and often by scoring runs in five of the first six innings and collected 13 hits as it won game one of a crucial three-game Southern Conference series.

The Paladins struck quickly as they got on the board with a solo blast from Heath Burton off of starter Corey Taylor to give them an early 1-0 lead after a half inning.

Furman would plate three runs in the third inning thanks to a three-run bases-clearing double by Nitto. The rally started with back-to-back singles from Taylor Johnson and Will Miller. Will Muzika followed with a walk to load the bases to set the table for Nitto to chip in on three of his six RBI.

Miller paced the Paladins with three hits in five at-bats while Will Owens and Nitto both enjoyed multi-hit games.

Leading 4-0 after three innings, the Paladins put the game out of reach by putting up a five-spot in the fourth inning. Furman sent nine batters to the plate and would extend the lead to 9-0 as the inning was once again highlighted by Nitto, this time as he connected on a two-run double to left center.

After Furman scored a single run in the top half of the inning, UNCG (14-11, 3-7 SoCon) would strike for three runs in the bottom of the fifth by following Furman's lead by batting around. The Spartans would use back-to-back-to-back singles from Lloyd Enzor, Zach Leach and Nick Chapman to crack the scoreboard and cut the deficit to nine, 10-1. Following a strikeout, TJ Spina was hit on his left hand to load the bases for Christian Wolfe. Wolfe would gather an RBI without take the bat off of his shoulder as he drew a four-pitch walk. Kris Richards followed up with an infield single that ricocheted off the Paladins' pitcher and plated Chapman. However, Furman starter Bobby Lyne would retire the next two batters to end the threat and maintain a 10-3 lead.

Furman would score an unearned run in the top of the sixth thanks to three Spartan errors and would extend the lead to eight, 11-3.

The Paladins' bullpen used a combined five pitchers to throw four innings of no-hit ball to keep the Spartans from getting any closer. Lyne (4-2) picked up the win by tossing five innings allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out two.

The Spartans' Taylor (2-2) was tagged with the loss after he surrendered five earned runs in 3 1/3 innings of work while walking three. Eric Kalbfleisch proved UNCG much needed relief by going 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball while allowing only two hits and striking out four.

The two teams will play the second game of the series starting at 1 p.m. at UNCG Baseball Stadium on Saturday.

AGATE

Furman 11, UNCG 3 (Mar 30, 2012 at Greensboro, N.C.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Furman.............. 103 511 000 - 11 13 1 (14-13, 4-6)
UNCG................ 000 030 000 - 3 5 3 (14-11, 3-7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Furman - Bobby Lyne; Anthony Buonopane(6); Matt Plate(7); Stephen Gary(7);
Brant Masters(8); Jacques de Gruy(9) and Paul Nitto. UNCG - Corey Taylor;
Dominique Vattuone(4); Pete Schultz(4); Tyler Frazier(6); Eric Kalbfleisch(6) and TJ Wharton;
Cambric Moye.
Win-Bobby Lyne(4-2) Loss-Corey Taylor(2-2) T-3:06 A-347
HR FUR - Heath Burton.
Weather: 73 degrees partly cloudy
Vattuone faced 3 batters in the 4th.