Western Carolina 20, La Salle 10
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Junior Bradley Strong and senior Aaron Attaway both hit for the cycle as Western Carolina slugged its way past La Salle, 20-10, on Sunday afternoon in nonconference baseball action at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium. The Catamounts scored in all but one inning in which they took swings, tallying multiple runs in four of the seven frames.
All told, Western Carolina out hit La Salle, 21-13, with a dozen of the Catamounts’ 21 base hits going for extra bases, including six doubles, two triples and four home runs.
Strong collected a career-high five base hits in six at-bats, scoring a career-best five runs while also driving in five on his banner day. The Richlands, Va., product singled in the second, tripled in the third and picked up the double in the fifth before homering in the sixth to earn the cycle, the first of his collegiate career.
Not to be outdone, Strong’s middle infield counterpart, Attaway, tallied his second career cycle during Sunday’s victory, finishing 4-for-5 with a matching five RBIs. The Morganton, N.C., native tripled in the third inning, singled in the fourth and homered in the fifth before cruising into second for the double in the seventh inning.
Attaway hit for the cycle last season in an extra-inning win at Furman for the first recorded cycle for a WCU player since at least the late 1980s, according to available research. The last three cycles for WCU have each come in a Sunday series finale.
In addition to the dueling middle infielders, senior Adam Martin doubled and homered in a 3-for-4, four RBI afternoon, while redshirt senior Taylor Sandefur doubled twice in a 3-for-6, three-run-scoring performance for WCU. Junior Jacob Hoyle finished 2-for-4 with his team-leading 14th RBI in the win.
Western Carolina (7-2) jumped out on top with five runs in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by Martin lacing a two-RBI double down the left-field line and a three-run home run to right by senior Dykota Spiess. After giving two runs back in the top of the second after the long home half, the Catamounts again scratched the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning as Martin drove in a second run, plating Strong with a single to right field, giving WCU a 6-2 lead.
Strong and Attaway tripled two batters apart in a four-run third, with the previous driving home senior Cody Jones and the latter bringing home both Strong and Gragg. WCU led 10-2 through three complete innings.
La Salle rallied in the top of the fourth, though, trimming the WCU advantage back to two, 10-8, with a six-run effort. The Explorers had a stretch in which six of seven batters delivered run-scoring hits, including a pair of RBI doubles.
WCU tacked on a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-RBI single by Strong to reclaim a four-run advantage, only to see La Salle match in the top of the fifth with a two-run double by George Smith Jr.
Western Carolina seized control in the bottom of the fifth, however, pushing across six runs on six hits, pulling ahead 18-10. Martin led off the decisive fifth with a solo homer over the left-field wall, with Sandefur doubling and later scoring on an RBI single by J.D. Long. The inning continued with a run-scoring double by Strong and Attaway’s three-run bomb to left center.
The Catamounts would add solo runs in the sixth on Strong’s cycle homer and eighth on a pinch-hit RBI single by Danny Bermudez to score Sandefur to provide the final tally, 20-10.
Freshman reliever Nate Williams (1-0) picked up his first career victory, tossing 3 2/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief out of the bullpen, striking out two on the day. Catamount starter T.J. Fussell factored in the no-decision, allowing eight runs on nine hits with a walk in 3 2/3 innings on the mound. Despite gaining solid run support, Fussell was forced to sit a long period between time on the hill with WCU sending nine batters to the plate in the bottom of both the first and third innings – consequentially, the top of the second and fourth were big innings for La Salle.
Working back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him up until this point, senior RHP Tyler Powell made his 2014 season debut, allowing one hit before retiring three straight batters, including two by strikeout, to close the ninth inning.
La Salle (1-9) had two players finish 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the losing effort. First baseman Mark Williams hit a two-run home run as a part of his two-hit, three RBI outing, while Smith doubled twice, also driving in a trio of runs. Cameron Johnson (2-for-5) and Kevin Conroy (3-for-4) also collected multi-hit games for the visitors, while red-hot hitting shortstop Kevin Baron, who was 6-for-9 (.667) entering the finale, was held to one hit – a double – with an RBI and a run scored in a 1-for-5 showing on Sunday.
Explorers starter Alex Faust (0-2) suffered the loss after surrendering five earned runs on two hits, including the three-run home run to Spiess in the bottom of the first inning. Reliever Greg Krug struck out four in two innings of work, with Tom Fazzini and Mike McLeod also recording Ks out of the La Salle pen.
Western Carolina wraps up its current four-game homestand on Tuesday evening as it welcomes the nationally ranked Clemson Tigers to Childress Field / Hennon Stadium for a 4 p.m tilt. Tuesday’s game will be televised live on WMYA-TV, My40 out of Asheville/Greenville, with a simulcast available online at ESPN3.com (subject to blackout). Air time is set for 3:30 pm for the pregame show.
Davidson 13, Miami (Ohio) 6
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Powered by three home runs, including a grand slam by Ryan Lowe, Davidson erased a five-run deficit with 12 unanswered runs to defeat Miami University, 13-6, in non-conference baseball action Sunday afternoon at Wilson Field.
Lowe finished with a career-high five RBIs after going 2-for-5 at the dish. His first-career grand slam came in the bottom of the fifth inning on an 0-2 pitch with two outs, with Davidson (3-5) trailing Miami (3-6), 6-1. Second baseman Andrew Pope went 3-for-5 with a career-high three RBIs, including an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning that tied the game at 6-6, and a two-RBI double as part of a seven-run seventh inning that put the game away.
Right fielder Nathan Becker (2-for-4) and shortstop Sam Foy (2-for-5) also homered for Davidson. Trailing Miami, 5-0, Becker’s second home run in as many days and third of the season was a solo shot off a chair in right field in the bottom of the fourth inning that put the Wildcats on the scoreboard.
Becker’s other hit was an RBI double that drove in the game-winning run but was also effectively an inside-the-park home run. With centerfielder Forrest Brandt (1-for-3) on first base, Becker doubled to right field, where it was misplayed, allowing him to go for third. The third baseman was unable to handle the throw at third, and the ball got away for another error that allowed Becker to score. Foy was next to bat and hit a solo shot to left field on the first pitch he saw for his first home run of the season and a 9-6 Davidson lead.
Pope’s two-RBI double and RBI singles by third baseman David Daniels (1-for-5) and Lowe capped the scoring, as the ‘Cats sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning.
The Wildcat bullpen shutout the Redhawks over the final four innings. Senior RHP Michael Goldberg (1-2) earned his first career win by retiring the side in the seventh inning, and RHP Matt Saeta pitched the final two innings, yielding just two hits and striking out two. RHP Chad Moss earned the first two outs of the sixth inning by retiring both batters he faced, and LHP Rob Bain got the final out of that frame.
RHP Nick Neitzel made his third start of the season and allowed six runs, but only one was earned. He struck out four and allowed nine hits and a walk.
Second baseman Scott Slappey (1-for-5) hit a three-run home run as part of a four-run second inning that gave Miami an early lead. Shortstop Chad Sedio was also productive at the plate, going 4-for-4.
RHP Ryan Powers started for the Redhawks and kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard until allowing six runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. RHP Brad Schwartz (0-2) took the loss, as he was responsible for walking Brandt after getting the first out of the seventh inning.
Davidson totaled 15 hits to Miami’s 12, with six Wildcats enjoying multi-hit games and all nine reaching base. Joining Pope, Lowe, Becker and Foy with multi-hit games were left fielder Lee Miller (2-for-5), who doubled down each line, and first baseman Ben Arkin (2-for-4), who scored a game-high three runs and also walked once.
Davidson will next play at No. 21 North Carolina on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Wildcats will then return home to play four games in three days when they host both Massachusetts and North Carolina A&T beginning Friday.
Wofford 4, Longwood 3
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – With the game tied at three in the bottom of the ninth, a solo home run by Matt Ramsay gave the Wofford baseball team a 4-3 win over Longwood on Sunday at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers won the weekend series over the Lancers 2-1.
Wofford moved to 7-4 on the season and Longwood fell to 5-7. The Terriers were led by Josh Hyman with a hit and three RBIs, while Ramsay had two hits. Starting pitcher Connell Anderson allowed only two runs in 6 2/3 innings with five strikeouts.
The Lancers were led by Alex Owens with three hits and Brandon Delk with two hits and three RBIs.
The Lancers opened the game with a single and a double. With two outs, a single by Brandon Delk drove in both runners for a 2-0 lead.
Wofford’s Derek Hirsch led off the bottom of the third with a bunt single. A home run that cleared the left-center fence by Hyman tied the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, Conor Clancey reached on an error and Ramsay singled to give Wofford runners on the corners with one out. A sacrifice fly by Hyman made it a 3-2 game. Walks to Alec Paradowski and Seth Neely loaded the bases, but all three were stranded at the end of five innings.
Longwood’s Brandon Delk led off the ninth inning with a solo home run to tie the game at 3-3. The Lancers added a single, but the runner was stranded. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Ramsay cleared the fence in left-center to give the Terriers a 4-3 victory.
Anderson threw 6 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and only one walk. Jesse Morris (3-1) allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts for the win.
Longwood starter Allen Ellis went 4 2/3 innings with three runs allowed on three hits and one strikeout. Travis Burnette (0-1) threw the final 1 1/3 innings and allowed one run on one hit and had one strikeout.
The Terriers will host Winthrop on Wednesday at 5 p.m. before beginning a three-game series with Marist on Friday evening.
Samford 10, Butler 9
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford’s Brandon Powell scored on a Butler error in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Bulldogs a 10-9 win over Butler on Sunday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
The win was Samford’s fourth straight victory. Samford is now 6-4 overall. Butler dropped to 1-7 with the loss.
Samford was led offensively by Heath Quinn, who went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. Tyler Filliben went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Powell and Hunter Swilling had two hits each for Samford.
Parker Curry (1-0) pitched the final 1/3 of an inning, giving up no runs on two hits to earn the win on the mound for Samford. Cole Limbaugh, Gage Pregno, Patrick McGavin, Mark Donham, Phillip Flach and Patrick Maronde also saw time on the mound for Samford.
For Butler, Michael Fries went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and two RBIs. Drew Small went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, and Chris Maranto went 2-for-4 at the plate for Butler. Danny Pobereyko (0-1) pitched the final inning to take the loss for Butler.
Samford entered the top of the ninth inning with a 9-4 advantage over Butler. However, Butler plated five runs in the top of the ninth to tie the score. Small drove in two runs, while Ryan Wojciechowki, Mike Kseniak and Marco Caponi drove in a run each for Butler in the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Powell led the inning off with a double down the left-field line. Filliben then walked. Tripp Martin then reached base on a throwing error, and Powell came in to score to give Samford the 10-9 win.
Samford jumped on top first with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Drew McWhorter drove in two runs in the inning, while Quinn and Caleb Bryson drove in a run each to give Samford a 4-0 advantage.
After Butler scored a run in the top of the second inning, Samford answered with a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning to make the score 5-1. Quinn singled to center field to drive in Filliben for a four-run Samford lead.
Samford added another run in the third inning to push its lead to 6-1. Swilling doubled to lead off the inning and later scored when T.J. Dixon grounded out to give Samford a five-run lead.
Butler plated a run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth to make the score 6-4. In the fourth inning, Will Amador singled to lead off the inning and later scored on a ground out by Quincy Quintery for Butler’s second run of the game. In the fifth inning, Fries drove in two runs to bring Butler to within two runs.
Samford added three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the score 9-4. Filliben singled to drive in Dixon and Bryson for the first two runs of the inning for Samford. SU’s final run of the inning was scored when Quinn singled to left field to drive in Filliben.
Samford will return to action on Tuesday, when the Bulldogs play on the road for the first time this season, playing at in-state rival Troy. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT start from Troy’s Riddle-Pace Field.
Elon 5, Gardner-Webb 0
ELON, N.C. – Jake Stalzer continued to dominate opponents at the start of his Elon career as the lefty tossed the Phoenix's first complete game shutout since May 2010 in a 5-0 victory over Gardner-Webb in the final game of the Elon Invitational.
Stalzer (3-0) has yet to allow an earned run in 23 innings to start his Elon career. The junior allowed one unearned run in the first inning of his first start and has not allowed a single run in 22 2/3 innings. On Sunday, Stalzer scattered just three hits and faced 33 hitters on the afternoon. He struck out five in his 100-pitch outing.
The last complete game shutout by an Elon pitcher came in the Southern Conference tournament, when Jimmy Reyes went the distance in a 1-0 victory over Samford on May 26, 2010. The three hits allowed marked the fewest allowed by Elon (8-3) since Feb. 18, 2012, in a 4-1 win over George Mason, when the Phoenix surrendered three hits.
While Stalzer shut down Gardner-Webb (3-8), the Elon offense pounded out 12 hits on the afternoon.
Elon went to the last of the fifth holding a 1-0 advantage before striking for three runs on four hits. Chris Hall started things by lacing a double to the gap in right-center, his first career hit. A bunt single from Nick Zammarelli looked like it would leave runners on the corners, but the throw to first was wide and allowed Hall to score and Zammarelli to race to third. With runners on second and third, Casey Jones drove home two with a single to center to give the Phoenix a 4-0 lead.
Jones drove home his third run of the day in the last of the seventh as his single to center plated Zammarelli, who had started the inning with a single.
Four Elon players posted multi-hit outings – Jones (3-for-4), Gomez (2-for-4), Zammarelli (2-for-3, two runs) and Quinn Bower (3-for-3, two runs).
The loss went to Erik Heiligenstadt (0-2), who gave up five runs on 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Elon will be playing its next five games away from Latham Park. That stretch begins Tuesday with a 4 p.m. first pitch at High Point.
UNCG 10, Georgetown 9
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG spotted Georgetown a 4-0 lead in Sunday’s series finale but outscored the Hoyas 10-5 the rest of the way to post a 10-9 victory and complete the sweep inside the UNCG Basbeall Stadium.
With the win, the Spartans improved to 5-5 overall while Georgetown dropped to 3-6. The sweep was the first of the three-game variety for UNCG since early in the 2012 campaign, when the Blue and Gold won three straight over Penn State in Greensboro.
Freshman RHP Adam Swim (1-0) picked up the first win of his collegiate career, throwing the last 1 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and striking out one. Tim Davis (0-1) was saddled with his first loss of the campaign, hurling the final 2/3 innings and giving up one run on one hit.
Senior infielder Sean Guite had a career day, going 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and a run scored. Sophomore catcher Jake Hall and junior infielder Hunter King also produced multi-hit efforts with two base knocks apiece. Hall tallied three runs scored while King drove in a pair of runs. Additionally, junior outfielder Nick Chapman and junior infielder Jordan McDonald posted two RBIs each.
The Spartans out-hit the Hoyas 12-11 and the teams combined for six errors – four by Georgetown. The double-digit hit output was the third straight for UNCG and the fifth in the last six games.
Georgetown took early control of the game in the top of the second, scoring four runs on five hits, including a trio of doubles. The Blue and Gold responded in the bottom of the frame, netting a pair of runs on a two-out, two-RBI double by Guite that scored Hall and junior outfielder Tyler Long.
Nick Collins led off the top of the third with a single up the middle before Spartan starter and junior RHP Lee Gilliam walked the bases loaded with one away. Patrick Camporini brought the Hoyas’ fifth run across with a sacrifice fly to center field and Evan Ryan followed with an RBI double to push the Georgetown lead back to four runs at 6-2.
UNCG exploded in the bottom of the third, scoring six runs on five hits and a GU error. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Nin Marrero began the frame with a triple to the gap in right-center, extending his current hitting streak to nine games. Then, with one away, King and Hall hit consecutive singles to score Marrero and leave themselves on first and third. After a walk to McDonald, Long reached on an error that keep the line moving and scored two runs before Guite laid down a bunt single that plated McDonald and pulled the Spartans even at 6-6. Chapman came up with a big hit later in the inning, posting a two-out, two-RBI single to put UNCG in front, 8-6.
An RBI double by McDonald in the bottom of the fifth extended the Spartan advantage to 9-6 and the score would remain the same heading into the sixth inning.
The Hoyas began their comeback with an RBI groundout with no outs in the top of the sixth. Georgetown would tie the score at 9 in the top of the eighth on two hits and two UNCG errors as Eric Webber and Christian Venditti came up with RBI singles in the inning.
With the momentum on the visitors’ side, King tallied his second home run of the season with one out in the bottom of the eighth to put the Spartans back on top, 10-9. A pair of ground outs would end the frame with UNCG holding on tight to the one-run edge.
AC Carter singled to lead off the top of the ninth and would advance to second before Camporini drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. Swim got Beau Hall to strike out swinging for the first out, bringing up Jake Kuzbel. The Spartans made a great defensive play in the at-bat, turning a 5-3 double play to escape with the victory.
UNCG, which is 4-1 on its current seven-game homestand, welcomes Ohio to the UNCG Baseball Stadium on Tuesday for a nonconference contest.
Georgia Southern 8, SIUE 2
Georgia Southern 20, Ohio 5
STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern baseball team picked up a pair of wins against SIUE and Ohio to improve to 10-2 on the year, its best start since the 2009 NCAA Regional team. The Eagles defeated SIUE 8-2 in the first game and hit six home runs in a 20-5 victory over Ohio.
GSU tallied 28 hits and scored 28 runs combined between the two games. Aaron Mizell hit three home runs on the day and now has five on the season.
For the second straight day, the Eagles rallied from a deficit and defeated SIUE.
Chase Griffin put Georgia Southern on the scoreboard and tied the game with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. The Eagles took a 4-2 lead later in that inning after Stryker Brown and Garrett Chapman tallied RBI hits.
Matt McCall picked up his first win of the season in relief of the starter Ryan Frederick. McCall (1-0) threw 3 1/3 scoreless frames and struck out five batters while allowing four hits.
Caleb Wilkerson held GSU scoreless over the first three innings but was unable to record an out in the fourth inning. Five straight Eagles recorded a hit to open the frame before Wilkerson (0-1) was lifted. Zach Malach came on to strike out the side, but Wilkerson took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits.
Frederick pitched into the fourth inning but exited after allowing two hits to start the frame. Both runs eventually scored on an Austin Verschoore two-out single. Jason Richman and Will Jackson combined with McCall to hold SIUE (2-8) scoreless over the final five frames.
Dalton Busby stole second base and scored a run in the fifth inning after the Cougars' defense committed two errors. The Eagles tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning on a fielding error and a sac fly from C.J. Brazil.
The Eagles finished with double-digit hits for the eighth time this season. Chapman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs on the day to extend his hit streak to 11 games. Aaron Mizell, who hit a solo shot in the seventh, and Brown each recorded two hits.
Four different Eagles combined to hit six home runs as the Eagles outscored Ohio 20-5 in the second game of the day at J.I. Clements Stadium.
Georgia Southern (10-2) scored 20 runs for the second time this season and tallied 18 hits. Busby, Mizell and Kody Adams all finished with three hits, while Mizell, Ryan Cleveland, Adams and Ben Morgan all homered in the victory.
Three of those six home runs came in the first inning as Mizell, Cleveland and Kody Adams gave the Eagles an early 5-0 lead. GSU tacked on another run on a sacrifice fly from Dalton Busby and led 6-0 after the second inning.
Jason Richman picked up the win in relief of starter Will Middour and allowed one run over 2 1/3 innings. Richman (3-0) got the Eagles out of a jam in the fourth inning by striking out Scott White.
Making his first start since May 26, 2012, Middour held Ohio (3-6) scoreless over the first three innings before giving up three runs in the fourth. Nick Bredeson put the Bobcats on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly, and Connor Callery chased Middour with a two-RBI single.
The Eagles scored 13 combined runs over the middle three innings and took a 19-4 lead after the sixth. Cleveland and Morgan both hit home runs in the fifth inning. Mizell hit his second of the game and third of the day in the sixth, and Cleveland stole home plate later in the frame.
Gerry Salisbury took the loss in his first start of the season. Salisbury (0-2) surrendered 10 runs – nine earned – on 11 hits.
GSU travels to Mount Pleasant, S.C., on Wednesday to face former SoCon rival College of Charleston at 6 p.m. before returning home to host Holy Cross in a three-game series this weekend.
Notre Dame 4, Appalachian State 3 (11 innings)
CARY, N.C. – Appalachian State squandered a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and Notre Dame plated an unearned run in the 11th to walk off with a 4-3 victory over the Mountaineers on Sunday afternoon in both teams’ final game at the USA Baseball-Irish Classic.
Appalachian State (1-10) led 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth and needed only two outs to seal its second straight win, but Notre Dame (5-6) strung together four singles and a sacrifice fly to knot the score at 3-3 and send the game to extra innings.
After Taylor Thurber easily recorded the first out in the bottom of the ninth, three straight Notre Dame singles loaded the bases with one out. Closer Robert Whaley relieved Thurber and the first hitter he faced, Zak Kutsulis, lifted an 0-2 pitch into left field for a sacrifice fly that drew the Irish within a run at 3-2.
Whaley was one strike away from nailing down the victory against the very next batter, Kyle Fiala, but Fiala singled to center on a 2-2 count to drive in Conner Biggio with the tying run. Whaley issued a four-pitch walk to load the bases but got out of the jam with a groundout.
The score remained 3-3 until the bottom of the 11th, when Appalachian State’s fourth pitcher of the afternoon, Dallas DeVrieze, opened the frame by inducing a ground ball on an 0-2 pitch to Notre Dame leadoff hitter Forrest Johnson. However, Appalachian shortstop Dillon Dobson made an error on the play that allowed the would-be winning run to reach first with no outs. A sacrifice bunt moved Johnson to second and a wild pitch put him on third with one out and Katsulis at the plate. Katsulis lined a 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield and Johnson easily scored on the walk-off single.
The late-inning collapse overshadowed another fine start on the mound by App State left-hander Jeffrey Springs. The junior overcame some early control issues to surrender just one run over 5 1/3 innings. He allowed four hits, issued four walks and struck out six, which tied a career high.
DeVrieze suffered the tough-luck loss despite not allowing an earned run. William Head led the Mountaineers offensively with two hits, including an RBI single in the fourth. Jaylin Davis came off the bench for a pinch-hit RBI double in the sixth and Brandon Burris, who also started the game on the bench, gave Appalachian what appeared to be an insurance run with a solo home run in the ninth.
Katsulis led Notre Dame with the two clutch RBIs in the ninth and 11th innings, while Lane Richards had two hits for the Irish. ND reliever Cristian Torres retired two of the three batters he faced in the 11th to earn the win.
Appalachian State hosts Campbell on Wednesday night at BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem, N.C. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
Iowa 8, Furman 2
DeLAND, Fla. – Tyler Peyton pitched seven solid innings to lead Iowa past Furman, 8-2, in Sunday-morning action at the Stetson Invitational.
The win gave the Hawkeyes (9-1) a three-game weekend tournament sweep, while Furman (5-6) left town with two wins in its three games.
The Paladins will face USC Upstate on Tuesday in a 5 p.m. game at Fluor Field.
Peyton (2-0), who got the win, allowed just two runs over seven innings while walking two and striking out four.
He received plenty of offensive support, as his teammates banged out 13 hits, led by Jake Mangler’s 2-for-4, four-RBI performance. Eric Toole, Jake Yacinich and Kris Goodman also collected two hits apiece for Iowa.
The Paladins got solid starting pitching from Elliott Warford (1-1), who tossed five innings and allowed three runs, only one of which was earned, on six hits. He didn’t walk a batter and fanned six.
Iowa got on the board first with a run in the second after Taylor Zeutenhorst doubled into the left-field corner and later scored on an error.
Furman tied it with a run in the fourth. Jordan Simpson was hit by a pitch with two outs, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Cameron Whitehead’s single up the middle.
The tie didn’t last long, however, as Iowa struck for a pair of runs in the fifth on Toole’s RBI triple and sacrifice fly by Mangler.
The Hawkeyes broke it open an inning later, scoring three runs on five hits and an error off Paladin relievers Ryan Dittmar and Tyler Wood.
The Paladins committed five errors in the contest but only two of Iowa’s eight runs were unearned.
Greg Harrison and Chris Ohmstede had two hits apiece for Furman, which totaled nine safeties in the contest.
Nebraska 4, The Citadel 0
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Chance Sinclair blanked The Citadel on four hits through seven innings, and Nebraska took advantage of a rare off day for the Bulldog defense to score four unearned runs in a 4-0 victory to salvage the final game of a three-game set at Riley Park.
The Bulldogs (6-6) were shut out for the first time since losing at No. 1 North Carolina 13-0 on May 1, 2013, and only the second time in the past 97 games. The Citadel's biggest threat came in the ninth, when Tyler Griffin doubled with two outs to put runners at second and third before Josh Roeder struck out Drew DeKerlegand to end the game.
The Huskers (5-5) defeated the Bulldogs for the first time in four all-time meetings while posting their first shutout of the season. Sunday's contest marked the end of a stretch that saw The Citadel play a total of nine games against seven schools from power conferences and winning four times.
Sinclair was dominant the whole way, facing only two batters over the 21 minimum in his seven innings of work. He fanned five, throwing 68 of his 96 pitches for strikes, and did not walk a batter in raising his season record to 2-0. Bob Greco and Roeder each pitched a scoreless inning in relief for Nebraska.
After not committing an error in the past three games of its now-snapped four-game winning streak, The Citadel had four in the first three innings on Sunday. The first error in the second led to an RBI single by Blake Headley off Bulldog starter Kevin Connell that gave the Huskers the only run they would need.
An inning later, The Citadel misplayed three infield grounders that resulted in three more unearned runs, all scoring with two outs. Michael Pritchard drove in Nebraska's second run with a single, and Bryce Only knocked in two more with a base hit to give Sinclair some breathing room.
Connell went the first five innings, allowing six hits and the four Husker runs. Austin Livingston took over in the sixth and threw four solid frames, giving up four hits while keeping Nebraska from adding to its margin.
Griffin and Johnathan Stokes both had two hits, with Griffin going 5-for-13 with a double, two homers and six RBIs during the series to break out of an early season slump.
The Citadel continues its eight-game homestand with midweek contests against Coastal Carolina on Tuesday and Toledo on Wednesday, both at 6 p.m.
The Bulldogs play a three-game set against College of Charleston next weekend with games at Riley Park on Friday and Sunday and Patriots Point on Saturday.