SoCon Baseball Recaps for February 26, 2008
TENNESSEE 2, FURMAN 1
KNOXVILLE, TENN. --- Bryan Morgado surrendered only two hits and struck out 12 batters over eight innings to propel Tennessee to a 2-1 win over Furman in the Paladins’ 2008 season opener at Lindsey Nelson Stadium Monday afternoon.
Morgado (1-0), a redshirt freshman left-hander from Miami, Fla., fanned 10 of Furman’s first 12 batters over the first four innings before yielding his first hit of the game, a leadoff single to Furman first baseman Ryan Lee to start the fifth. In all he struck out 12 and surrendered just two hits, a walk, and an unearned run for the Volunteers (3-1).
With Tennessee leading 2-1 after eight frames, Morgado gave way to Jeff Lockwood in the ninth, but after retiring the leadoff batter, Lockwood walked Furman’s Joey Rodgers, Connor Lind, and Bobby Hubbard to load the bases. The sophomore left-hander recovered, however, by striking out Lee for the second out and John Paterson to end the game and record the save.
Furman (0-1) received solid pitching and defense in the contest. Starter Mason Smith (0-1) went four innings, allowing three hits, a run, and four walks while striking out six. He departed trailing 1-0 after the Volunteers scratched for a run in the third following a leadoff single by Andy Simunic, who stole second and third base before coming home on a Kentrail Davis RBI grounder.
Furman broke through in the fifth against Morgado, Lee led off with a single to right field and with one out advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a passed ball before crossing the plate on a Campbell Lewis sacrifice RBI that tied the game at 1-1.
Tennessee retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a Yan Gomes sacrifice fly RBI off Paladin reliever Ian Parry (0-1) that plated Davis.
The Volunteers opened the seventh with back-to-back singles by Davis and Cody Brown. Barry Benton came on in relief of Parry and retired Jeff Lockwood on a fly to center field and struck out Gomes. With two outs and runners at first and third, the Volunteers attempted a double steal but Paladin shortstop Connor Lind’s throw home nailed Davis to end the inning.
Campbell Lewis opened the eighth with Furman’s second hit of the game but, after moving to second on a sacrfice, was thrown out trying to steal third base.
Strong Furman defense in the eighth kept the game close. With one out Tanner Moore drew a walk from the Paladins’ Nick Karrow. Danny Lima then doubled to right field, but a perfect relay from Lewis in right field to Paladin second baseman J.B. Jenkins, to catcher Matt Hemingway retired Moore at the plate. Karow struck out Beasley to end the inning.
Parry absorbed the loss for Furman, yielding a run on five hits in two innings of work.
Tennessee collected nine hits in the game, including three by Brown.
Furman returns to action on Wednesday when it takes on Charleston Southern in a 2:00 p.m. game at Charleston Southern.