BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Furman used a seven-run sixth inning to go on to defeat Gardner-Webb by a 15-12 score on Wednesday evening at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.
Gardner-Webb falls to 21-18 on the season, while Furman improves to 18-19 overall.
Offense was the theme of the night at both teams combined for 27 runs and 31 base hits.
Furman took an initial 3-0 lead in the top of the second, scratching first on a RBI single by Bret Huebner, followed by a two-run knock by Sims Griffith.
The Diamond 'Dogs responded in the bottom half of the second, plating six runs.
Luke Kaesmeyer put GWU on the scoreboard with a RBI double to center field, later followed by a two-run single by
Ben LaSpaluto to tie the score at 3-3 with one out.
A wild pitch by Furman pitcher Trent Alley allowed
Taber Mongero to score to give Gardner-Webb the lead, and GWU plated one more on a throwing error by cather Logan Taplett.
Gardner-Webb scored its last run of the inning on a RBI single by
Corey Howard to take a 6-3 lead.
Furman scored once in the top of the third, taking advantage of an error by GWU center fielder
Chris Clary following a base hit by Jake Crawford.
The 'Dogs expanded their lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring once on a RBI single by
Mason Fox, later followed by a bases-loaded walk drawn by Clary with two outs, giving GWU an 8-4 advantage.
The Paladins began to rally in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs, highlighted by a two-run single to right field by Taplett.
Furman reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth, plating seven runs on six base hits to take a 14-8 lead.
Gardner-Webb answered in the bottom half of the inning, scoring four runs on five hits, capped by a two-run double to right field by Kaesmeyer, his second extra-base hit of the night, to pull GWU back within striking distance at 14-12.
Neither team scored again until Furman added an insurance run in the top of the ninth as Jason Costa crossed the plate after a wild pitch by GWU reliever
Jarrett Thompson, setting the score at 15-12.
GWU was unable to put together a comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth, as Furman reliever Tyler Kimbrell retired the side to end the bout.
The Paladins had 18 base hits throughout the contest, led by Taplett (3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) and Huebner (3-for-5, 2 RBI).
The 'Dogs collected 13 base hits, paced by Kaesmeyer (2-for-5, 2 2B, 3 RBI).
Austin Wood (1-0) earned the win in relief for Furman, tossing 3.2 innings with two runs allowed on three hits and three strikeouts. Alley lasted 1.1 innings in the start, surrendering six runs on four hits with one strikeout. Kimbrell worked the final 2.0 innings, allowing no runs on one hit with three strikeouts to earn his fifth save of the year.
Jordan Hampton (0-1) was saddled with the loss for GWU, allowing four earned runs on three hits, recording one out in the sixth inning. Fox lasted 2.0 innings in the start, giving up three runs on three hits while fanning one batter. Gardner-Webb used a total of eight pitchers throughout the evening.
Gardner-Webb returns to action Friday evening, opening a key Big South Conference series with visiting Presbyterian. The first pitch is slated for 6:00 pm with live coverage on the Big South Network (www.bigsouthsports.com).
