Georgia Southern 10, UT Martin 1
STATESBORO, Ga. - Behind a quick offensive start and all-around solid pitching, the Georgia Southern Baseball team improved to 2-0 to start the year for the first time since the 2009 season. The Eagles picked up their first series victory of the new year along the way, defeating the UT Martin Skyhawks 10-1 on Saturday.
Georgia Southern jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings and led 6-0 before the pitching staff allowed its first run in the sixth inning. Josh Adams (Bath, S.C.) allowed hits in the first three innings of his first start of the season, but left without surrendering a run. Adams allowed three hits in four innings but labored at times walking three batters in 64 pitches. Lucas Hart (Atlanta, Ga.) picked up the win in his career debut, allowing one run on two hits in two innings of work out of the pen.
Adams got help from his defense which got him out of jams in the first and fourth innings. A strong throw from Scooter Williams (Detroit, Mich.) after a fly out in the first inning nabbed Jordan Owen, who tagged following the out, advancing to second base. With the bases loaded in the fourth inning, Adams coaxed a ground out to short to end the frame.
UT Martin (0-2) was held to seven hits after 11 last night and scored just the lone run on a Byron Johann single. Matt Haynes tallied two hits and loaded the bases in the eighth inning. The Skyhawks came up empty after a strikeout of Matt Milligan left three runners stranded. Brendan Lozupone (0-1) was tagged with the loss in his return from injury and allowed four runs on four hits over one inning.
Georgia Southern opened with a quick three-run lead in the first inning due in part to Victor Roache's (Ypsilanti, Mich.) two-run homer, his first of the season. T.D. Davis (Evans, Ga.), who was one of three Eagles with multiple hits, hustled to beat out a double play with runner's on the corners and allowed a third run to score in the inning. Michael Burruss (Marietta, Ga.) doubled with one out and scored on Roache's homer over the left field power alley.
The Eagles, who finished the day with 12 hits, added a fourth run in the second inning on a RBI ground out by Burruss and tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning. A four run eighth inning sealed the series victory after GSU nearly batted around in the inning. Five-straight batters reached to open the eighth, including a lead off walk by Williams. Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.) batted for the second time in two games with the bases loaded and plated two runs on a single to center field. Garren Palmer (Dalton, Ga.)drove in another with a pinch-hit single to center.
A lead off single by Jordan Owen turned into UT Martin's first run of the contest in the sixth inning. Owen quickly reached third base on a stolen base and a wild pitch. He later scored on a single from Byron Johann.
The three-game series concludes Sunday at 1:30 p.m. All games this season can be heard on the Boomer 103.7 FM and inside the stadium on 88.1 FM.
The Citadel 10, Richmond 7
Charleston, S.C. - Senior Nick Orvin and sophomore Tyler Griffin each recorded three hits as The Citadel pushed across 10 runs over the first four innings and held on for a 10-7 victory over Richmond Saturday afternoon in The Citadel Memorial Challenge presented by the Charleston Crab House at Riley Park. The win snaps the Bulldogs' 13-game losing streak dating back to last season. The Citadel will face Liberty Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. to close out the season-opening tournament.
The Bulldogs scored three runs in the opening frame to give freshman starter Kevin Connell some offensive support in this collegiate debut. Mason Davis opened the inning with a full-count walk and stole second. With one out, Orvin singled to third and senior Justin Mackert grounded into a fielder's choice to put runners at the corners. Sophomore Drew DeKerlegand drew a base on balls to load the bases and Griffin connected on the first pitch he saw with a two-run single to center and a 2-0 Bulldog lead. Freshman Bailey Rush walked on four straight pitches to reload the bases and sophomore Calvin Orth drilled a RBI single up the middle to give The Citadel a three-run advantage.
With one out in the second, sophomore Joe Jackson singled to left center and Orvin followed with a sharply hit single to second. Richmond's Adam Forrer sailed the late throw past the first baseman and Jackson scored on the error, with Orvin advancing to second. After stealing third, Orvin scored on a RBI single down the left-field line by Mackert, who would later score on a RBI double to right by Griffin. DeKerlegand reached on a fielding error by Adam McConnell at third and scored on Forrer's second error of the inning to put the Bulldogs up 7-1 after two frames.
After a two-run homer by Jacob Mayers in the top of the third cut The Citadel's lead to 7-3, the Bulldogs scored a pair of runs in their half of the inning to take a 9-3 advantage. Jackson drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a throwing error by Richmond reliever Alex Maffett during a pickoff attempt. Orvin doubled to right center to drive in Jackson and he moved to third on a passed ball with one out. DeKerlegand lined a RBI single to right center to bring home Orvin for the Bulldogs' ninth run.
Richmond pushed across two more in the top of the fourth on a RBI triple by Bryan Conway and a passed ball by Grant Richards. The Bulldogs got a run back in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single by Davis that scored Richards, who reached base on a hit by pitch and stole second. The Spiders scored single runs in the final two innings to cut into The Citadel's lead, but the Bulldogs' bullpen was up to the task on the evening.
Five pitchers worked the game for the Bulldogs, with freshman James Reeves picking up the win. The southpaw allowed one run on four hits over 3-1/3 innings of relief. Connell lasted three innings in his first start of the season, scattering five hits and allowing five runs.
Chris Cowell had a pair of solo home runs to lead the Spiders offensively. Phil Ruzbarsky collected three hits, while Mayers took the loss for Richmond, allowing seven runs on seven hits with six walks over two innings.
Western Carolina 12, Fordham 8
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Four multiple run innings and a solid freshman debut by Jeremy Null led to the Catamounts (3-0) sweeping Fordham (0-3) in the 2012 season opening series. Null pitched 5.1 innings giving up three runs - two of them earned - on only one Ram hit. Null also dealt eight strikeouts to go along with three walks. Offensively, first baseman Tyler White went 3-for-4 from the plate with four RBI.
"We were expecting that out of Jeremy Null," commented head coach Bobby Moranda. "It didn't surprise me. He can pitch. He's a very solid pitcher. He has command over three pitches. He did a very good job with his breaking ball today and he competed."
The Catamounts jumped on Fordham early, picking up seven runs in the first three innings of play, giving the young righty a 7-0 cushion. Fordham got on the board in the fifth off of a Catamount error, before Null retired the side. Western Carolina picked up two additional runs in the fifth from a Tyler White single whiched scored Dykota Spiess. Spiess was aboard second from his double earlier in the inning. White scored later in the inning when freshman catcher Connor Andrus singled.
In the top of the sixth, Null struck out the first batter he faced before giving up two straight walks to the Rams. Skipper Bobby Moranda went to his bullpen, bringing in reliever Adam Curtis. A fielder's choice by Swatek put runners on the corners with two outs. Following a Curtis walk, Fordham third baseman Brian Kownacki belted a base-clearing double, forcing Moranda to bring in pitcher Andrew Blackwell. Blackwell gave up a single to the first batter he faced, allowing the Rams to score their fourth and final run of the inning.
The game remained the same until the top of the eighth when Fordham again made a run at the Catamounts' 9-5 lead. A single and a walk brought in pitcher Jeremy Sluder. Sluder quickly picked up a strikeout from Fordham catcher Zach Small who struckout looking. Kownacki then popped up to centerfield, giving Western two outs. Fordham would then pinch hit Brendan Maghini causing Moranda to bring in Garrett Brister. One more Ram run would score off of a single by Brendan Maghini before Preston Hatcher would come in to pitch and end the inning for Western Carolina. Fordham added three runs in the eighth on three hits and an error.
Western Carolina added a few runs of its own in the eighth, as Ross Heffley, Jacob Hoyle and Dykota Spiess all crossed the dish for the Catamounts, making it a 12-8 game in favor of the Purple and Gold.
Fordham would not go away quietly as catcher Zach Small hit a double to deep centerfield scoring Tim Swatek who walked in the inning. Hatcher finished off the Rams and earned his first save of the season with a strike out and an infield ground out.
"Any time you sweep someone at the Division I level, it's a great thing. Our goal was to get the sweep and we achieved our goal," continued Moranda. "We have a lot to work on. We had two games where we were up big and let them get back in the game so we need to learn from that, understand how that happened and correct it. If we do that, we can be a pretty good team."
Western Carolina travels to Rock Hill, S.C. to take on Winthrop University Tuesday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 pm.
Elon 4, George Mason 1
Elon 4, George Mason 3
ELON, N.C. - The Elon Phoenix improved to 3-0 on the 2012 season as the baseball squad swept a doubleheader from George Mason on Saturday by scores of 4-1 and 4-3. Elon was able to do so thanks to strong pitching in the opener and a late four-run rally in game number two.
For the second straight day Elon began the game with a two-run first inning. The Phoenix loaded the bases with a Niko Fraser single and walks to Sebastian Gomez and Ryan Kinsella. Both Fraser and Gomez would score when Garrett Koster's grounder to short erased Kinsella at second.
Elon added solo runs in the third and fourth on RBI hits from Alex Swim and Fraser to build a 4-0 edge.
George Mason (1-2) scored its lone run on a seventh-inning homer off the bat of Zack Helgerson.
Phoenix starter Dylan Clark (1-0) allowed one run on just three hits in seven frames. He struck out four. Andrew MacDonald earned the first save of his career by tossing 1.2 shutout innings.
George Mason's A.J. Johnson (0-1) took the loss after being charged with four runs on five hits in five innings of work.
The Patriots struck early in game number two, scoring three runs in the first inning. George Mason used a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Blaise Fernandez to score its first run before a single from Duncan Satherlie drove home the second marker. A bases-loaded ground out plated the final run.
The score remained 3-0 until the last of the eighth when the Phoenix rallied for four runs. The inning began with a one-out double to left by Garrett Koster. Jake Luce followed with a double of his own to drive in the first run of the game for the Phoenix. After back-to-back walks loaded the bases, Chris Bresnahan just beat a potential double play throw to first that allowed Luce to score. Once Bresnahan swiped second, Fraser singled to first and both Bresnahan and pinch-runner Blaine Bower crossed the plate to give Elon the lead.
Jordan Darnell came out of the bullpen to toss a perfect ninth to earn the save. Nate Young (1-0) picked up the win with two scoreless frames in relief.
Neight Hoffa (0-1) was tagged with the loss after he gave up three runs on two hits in just a third of an inning.
On the day, Fraser, Gomez and Luce all finished with three hits.
Elon is scheduled to take on Akron at noon on Sunday to conclude the Elon Invitational.
UNCG 5, Delaware State 4
UNCG 13, Delaware State 1
GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNCG hit six home runs and scored 18 runs total as the Spartans swept the doubleheader from Delaware State on Saturday afternoon at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. The Spartans took the first game 5-4 before easily winning the second game 13-1 to complete the series sweep.
Dominique Vattuone got the win for UNCG (3-0) in the first game as he pitched the final 1 2/3 innings of relief and gave up only one hit and struck out two. Dylan Hathcock got the win in the second game after working two innings of hitless ball and striking out one.
Zach Leach led the Spartans at the plate as he went 3-5 on the day with six RBI and four runs scored. Andrew Spleth also went 3-5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Christian Wolfe had three RBI on the day.
Ryan Haas had two hits and three RBI for the Hornets (0-3) and Eddie Sorondo had two hits in the second game of the afternoon.
UNCG took the lead in the second inning in the second game of the doubleheader as Bobby Martin hit a two-out two-run single to left field to make it 2-0.
Leach struck for the first time in the third inning as he hit a towering three-run home run down the left field line to make it 5-0. The Spartans would push it to 7-0 in the same inning as Kris Richards added an RBI double before later scoring on a single by Wolfe.
Trevor Edwards kept it rolling for UNCG as he led off the fourth inning with a deep home run to right field to make it 8-0. After a Thomas Troelstrup double and a walk by TJ Spina, Leach stepped to the plate and hit his second three-run home run in as many innings to open up the Spartan lead to 11-0.
The score would remain that way until Spleth hit a two-run homer to left field to make it 13-0. The Hornets would avoid the shutout in the ninth inning by adding a run on a fielder's choice to make the final score 13-1.
In the first game of the afternoon, UNCG used a ninth-inning rally to get the victory. After Delaware State tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth inning, UNCG got a leadoff single from Leach to lead off the bottom half of the ninth.
After a sacrifice bunt by Cambric Moye, Richards singled to put runners on the corners and then Martin was intentionally walked to load the bases. Delaware State then made a pitching change and Wolfe took a 2-2 pitch straight up the middle that went off the shoulder of the pitcher. The ball fell harmlessly in front of the second baseman and allowed Leach to come home from third and give UNCG a 5-4 walk-off victory.
The Hornets struck first in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. Troy Drummond led off with a single to center field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and then to third on a groundout. Ryan Haas then delivered an RBI single up the middle.
UNCG was able to answer and tie the game at one in the bottom of the second when Edwards led off the inning with a solo home run to right field.
The Spartans were able to get a sacrifice fly in the third inning and added another run on an error in the fourth inning to build a 3-1 lead. Kris Richards made it a 4-1 cushion for UNCG as he hit his second home run in as many days to left center.
The Hornets began their comeback in the top of the seventh as Haas led off with a walk and then scored later in the inning on a single by Eddie Sorondo.
In the eighth inning, Drummond drew a one-out walk and then back-to-back Hornets were hit by pitches to load the bases. Haas slapped a single through the right side of the infield to tie the game at 4-4.
The Spartans will return to action on Tuesday as they host UNC Asheville at 4 p.m.
Wofford 6, Dayton 5 (11 inn.)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Sophomore Eric Brenk's walk-off RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning gave Wofford a 6-5 victory over Dayton Saturday afternoon at Russell C. King Field.
The game winning score was set up when James Foster singled up the middle with one out. Following a popup to the second baseman by Josh Hyman, Mac Doyle sent a shot into centerfield, singling and sending Foster to third. The Flyers intentionally walked Konstantine Diamaduros to load the bases to get to Brenk, who entered the at bat 0-4 on the day with three strikeouts. With the count sitting at 1-1, Brenk singled up the middle to drive in Foster to give the Terriers the win.
It was the first extra innings win for the Terriers since an 8-7 victory over USC Upstate in 11 innings on March 1st of last season.
The afternoon started with the Flyers (0-2) taking an early 1-0 advantage in the top of the first when Bobby Glover grounded out to the shortstop, sending Brian Blasik home from third base.
Wofford (1-1) answered back in the bottom of the second when Stephen Cantrell blasted an RBI double, scoring Clark Wise from first base.
The Flyers took the lead once more in the top of the third from and RBI double down the left field line by Robby Sunderman, yet the Terriers claimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning after a two RBI single into centerfield by Konstantine Diamaduros.
Wofford increased its lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth following a single hit sharply into left field by Matthew Kaskow to score Stephen Cantrell.
Dayton tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the fifth with an RBI single from C.J. Gillman and a groundout by Joe Gayda to second base that advanced Bobby Glover from third.
Wofford once again seized the lead in the bottom of the sixth as Clark Wise was able to score on a wild pitch by Dayton starter Mike Hauschild with two outs, yet Dayton answered in the top of the seventh following an RBI double down the left field line by C.J. Gillman.
The Terriers were able to put James Foster in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth, reaching third base after a wild pitch with two outs, yet Erick Brenk grounded out to second base to send the game into extra innings.
Neither team was able to produce a baserunner in the extra innings until James Foster's single in the bottom of the 11th that set up the walk off single by Brenk.
Erik Eck (1-0) picked up the win in relief for the Terriers, hurling 4.1 innings, while only allowing one hit with seven strikeouts. Tim Bury (0-1) was saddled with the loss for the Flyers, pitching 2.2 innings from the bullpen with three hits and one run allowed. Brandon Yarusi went 5.0 innings in the start for Wofford, allowing four runs with three strikeouts, while Mike Hauschild went 6.0 innings with three earned runs allowed and five strikeouts in the start for Dayton. Pete Noordsy (1.2 IP, 4 R, 2 K) also pitched in relief for Wofford, with Tommy Konrad (2.0 IP, 0 R, 2 K) making an appearance from the bullpen for Dayton as well.
Leading the Terriers offensively were Mac Doyle and Stephen Cantrell, who each went 3-5 on the afternoon, while Konstantine Diamaduros led the team with two RBIs on the afternoon. Dayton was led by C.J. Gillman, who went 2-3 on the day with 2 RBIs.
The Terriers return to action Sunday afternoon as they host Ball State at 1:00 p.m. at Russell C. King Field. With the forecast of rain for Sunday afternoon, stay tuned to www.woffordterriers.com for any potential updates regarding tomorrow's game.
Davidson 4, LaSalle 3
DAVIDSON, N.C. - A solo home run by James Cerbie with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and an RBI-bunt single by Andrew Barna in the eighth gave Davidson a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over La Salle in non-conference baseball action Saturday evening at Wilson Field.
Due to expected inclement weather, the scheduled 10 a.m. contest between LaSalle and Niagara and the 1 p.m. contest between Davidson and Bucknell have been canceled.
Cerbie, a senior second baseman, led Davidson (1-1) offensively, going 2-for-3 from the plate with two runs, including the game-tying solo shot to tie the game at 3-3. Barna, a junior third baseman, also went 2-for-3 and had two RBI. Senior centerfielder Drew Gadaire went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs, including the game-winning run.
Freshman RHP Clark Beeker (1-0) earned the win in his first collegiate appearance after pitching the Wildcats out of a seventh inning jam and throwing a scoreless eighth inning. Junior shortstop Michael Zeblo took the mound in the ninth inning for his first official pitching appearance since high school and allowed just a walk while striking out two for his first-career save.
RHP Kevin Christy pitched a strong five innings in the start for La Salle (1-1), striking out 10 and allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk.
The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when La Salle scored on a bases loaded, RBI-groundout by left fielder Tony Negrin. The Wildcats answered in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI-single to left field by Barna. Gadaire walked with one out and stole second base to move into scoring position, and Barna drove him home with two outs to tie the game at 1-1.
After Barna made a diving stop and throw from third base to help the ‘Cats cruise through the top of the fifth inning, Davidson took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning. After Christy retired the first two batters, Cerbie singled to leftfield and then advanced from first to third on a wild pitch to move into scoring position. A throwing error by the shortstop on a ball put in play by sophomore catcher Chris Dyer scored Cerbie.
La Salle took a 3-2 lead scoring a run each in the sixth and seventh innings. Shortstop Joe Bennie hit a leadoff double in the fifth inning, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Dan Klem. Right fielder Brendan Norton scored the go-ahead run in the sixth with two outs after catcher Adam Kammler was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Beeker was able to get the inning ending groundout in the next at-bat to limit the damage.
Cerbie's game-tying home run made the score 3-3 in the seventh inning. RHP Caolan Ronan (0-1) entered in the eighth inning and gave up a lead-off double to the center field fence by Gadaire. A single to shallow left field by sophomore left fielder Forrest Brandt moved Gadaire to third, and Barna laid down a perfect bunt to plate him.
Senior RHP Brian Russell started for Davidson and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks, while striking out four in five-plus innings of work.
Davidson will return to action with a three-game homestand beginning Friday against Lehigh at 5 p.m.
Appalachian State 8, Akron 3
Appalachian State 4, Akron 1
ELON, N.C. - Appalachian State University baseball got clutching hitting in Game One and strong pitching in Game Two to sweep a doubleheader from Akron by scores of 8-3 and 4-1 on Saturday evening at Latham Park.
With the victories, Appalachian came away from its first weekend of the season with a 2-1 record, going into next weekend's challenging three-game set at No. 8 LSU.
Timely hitting paved the way to victory for the Mountaineers in Saturday's first game, as each of their first six runs were scored by runners that reached base with two outs.
The two-out fiesta began in the fourth inning when Tyler Tewell (Charlotte, N.C./Butler) singled, followed by double off the left-field wall by Jeremy Dowdy (Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield). Trey Holmes (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan) drove the duo in with a perfectly placed single into shallow left center field, giving the Mountaineers a 2-0 lead.
After Akron tied it at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Zip starter Myles McVeigh cruised through the first two ASU batters of the top of the fifth before issuing three-straight walks to load the bases. With nowhere to put Daniel Kassouf (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson), McVeigh tried to sneak a 1-2 fastball past ASU's cleanup hitter but Kassouf walloped it to the right-center field gap for a three-run triple. The first triple of the 6-1, 230-pounder's career gave Appalachian a commanding 5-2 lead.
The Mountaineers captured more two-out lightning in the sixth when Tyler Zupcic (Charlotte, N.C./Providence) doubled with two away and Preston Troutman (Rockwell, N.C./East Rowan) pulled a full-count pitch through the right side of the infield for an RBI single that stretched the ASU advantage to 6-2.
Appalachian would tack on two more runs with a solo home run to straightaway center field by Kassouf in the seventh and a sacrifice fly by Troutman in the eighth to cap the scoring.
Kassouf paced the Apps' 10-hit effort by going 2-for-4 with a career-high four RBI. Holmes also had two hits while Troutman drove in two runs. Relief pitcher Tyler Moore (Banner Elk, N.C./Watauga) overcame walking the first two batters he faced after entering the game in the fifth inning to allow just one run in 2.1 innings and earn the win.
In the nightcap, Appalachian rode a strong start by junior-college transfer Rob Marcello (Royal Palm Beach, Fla./Royal Palm Beach) to the sweep. Making his first start in the Black and Gold since transferring from Florida's Indian River State College, Marcello shut the Zips out for five innings, allowing just two hits, striking out five and walking none.
True freshman Jeffrey Springs (Belmont, N.C./South Point) followed with a strong debut of his own, allowing just one hit and striking out three in two innings of work and Nathan Hyatt (Brevard, N.C./Brevard) closed out the impressive pitching performance by with a dominating ninth inning for his first-career save.
Sacrifice flies by Tewell and Will Callaway (Greenville, S.C./Eastside) and an RBI double by Zack Briggs (Lexington, N.C./Central Davidson) staked Appalachian to a 3-0 lead after six innings and after Akron scored its only run of the game to cut the deficit to 3-1 in the top of the eighth, Briggs tacked on an insurance run with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the frame.
Callaway (2-for-3) was the only Mountaineer with multiple hits in the nightcap.
Appalachian opens its series at series with LSU at venerable Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
Charleston-USA Game Postponed
MOBILE, Ala. - College of Charleston's game against South Alabama, scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, has been rescheduled until Sunday, Feb. 19. The game was postponed due to rain and thunderstorms in the area.
Sunday's revised schedule now features a nine-inning game beginning at noon, ET, followed by a seven-inning game to begin 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. If field conditions do not allow, the teams will play the previously-scheduled nine-inning game at 2 p.m. ET.
College of Charleston won the first game of the series, 5-2, on a three-run pinch-hit homer from junior Cody Martin in the top of the eighth inning
Radford 7, Samford 4
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball team dropped a 7-4 decision to the Radford Highlanders Saturday morning at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
Samford was led at the plate by first baseman Saxon Butler, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Catcher Brad Moss went 3-for-4 with a double, and second baseman Zeth Stone drove in two runs in a 1-for-4 performance.
Gil Walker (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Samford, pitching 1.0 inning and giving up three runs, just one earned, on three hits. Charles Basford started the game on the mound for Samford, pitching 4.0 innings and allowing two unearned runs on two hits. Michael Gunter, Taylor Hammond, Tyler Vanderheiden, Joseph Burns and Andrea Gracia also saw time on the mound for the Bulldogs.
For Radford at the plate, Jeff Kemp led the way, going 3-for-5 with three doubles and two RBI. Matt Mack and Carl Travers also drove in a run each for the Highlanders.
Jake Palese (1-0) earned the win on the mound for Radford. Palese pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Abram Williams pitched the final inning, retiring the Bulldogs in order to earn his first save of the season.
Miami (Ohio) 8, Furman 2
Miami (Ohio) 12, Furman 11
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Miami University bounced back from Friday's season opening loss by sweeping Furman in a Saturday doubleheader at Latham Stadium, claiming an 8-2 win in game one and holding on for a 12-11 decision in game two.
The RedHawks improve to 2-1 on the season while Furman falls to 1-2.
Game two ended in dramatic fashion with Miami right fielder Ryan Curl making a sliding catch in the bullpen area on Will Muzika's long foul fly, stranding two runners, including the potential tying run at second base. Furman, which had trailed 12-9 heading into the bottom ninth, combined two hits with three RedHawk errors in their final at bat to set up the finish.
Miami won despite committing six errors, which led to four unearned runs. Furman, meanwhile, was charged with four miscues in the nightcap.
Kevin Bower went 2-for-3 and drove in four runs, and Matt Honchel and Alex Johnson both recorded 3-for-5, three-RBI performances at the plate to lead Miami, which collected 13 hits in game two.
Furman banged out 15 hits, including three each by Will Owens and Will Miller. Owens reached base and scored five times while Miller belted his second home run of the young campaign.
Harrison Farmer also drove in three runs for the Paladins, including his first career round tripper, a towering two-run blast to right field in the second that staked Furman to a 3-0 lead.
Honchel's two-run single off Furman starting and losing pitcher Ben Carlson (0-1) keyed a five-run Miami third, but Furman quickly tied it at 5-5 in the bottom of the frame on a Miller two-run blast to left field.
Run scoring singles by Muzika and Paul Nitto in the fourth gave Furman a 7-6 lead before the RedHawks responded with two in the fifth to grab an 8-7 advantage. Miami tallied two more in the sixth for a 10-7 margin following another Honchel RBI single and Bower sacrifice fly RBI off Paladin reliever Jacque de Gruy.
The Paladins' opened their side of the sixth with three consecutive singles to load the bases and chase RedHawk reliever Brandon Adkins. His replacement, Matt Rosinki, induced Nitto into a double play grounder and then retired Alex Abrams on a fly ball to get MU out of the inning with a 10-8 lead.
Rosinki went on to work the final four innings, allowing two hits and three runs, all unearned, to notch the save.
In Saturday's first game, Miami starting pitcher Brooks Fiala (1-0) hurled 7 2/3 innings of five-hit ball to lead the RedHawks to the 8-2 victory. Fiala struck out nine and didn't issue a walk in earning the victory.
He received solid offensive support as MU banged out 15 hits, led by Kevin Bower, who went 4-for-5, and Scott Slappey and Ryan Curl, who registered three hits each in five at bats.
Nate Bowles' two-run single in the third inning off Furman starting and losing pitcher Nate Smith (0-1) staked Miami to a 2-0 lead.
It remained that way until the eighth when Miami tacked on three runs on four hits and an Furman error for a 5-0 margin.
Furman got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth with a Milller RBI grounder and Muzika line drive double down the left field line that scored Will Owens.
Muzika had two of the Paladins' six hits in Saturday's first game.
Furman will entertain Presbyterian on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.