April 12, 2007

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Justin Tramble's two-out, two-run ninth inning home run lifted East Tennessee State to a 4-3 win over Furman in baseball action Thursday afternoon at Furman Stadium.

Tramble's decisive home run off Paladin reliever Nick Hollstegge capped a three-run final frame for East Tennessee State (24-12) and sent Furman (9-23) to its ninth loss in the last 10 games.

After Furman pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth to take a 3-1 lead, the Buccaneers' Troy Mendez walked to lead off the ninth, and Tanner Moore followed with an RBI double down the left field line off Furman's Ian Parry to make it a 3-2 game. Michael Courtney popped up to the catcher on a sacrifice bunt attempt for the frame's first out, and Bubba Herbold took a called third strike from Hollstegge for the second out. Tramble then followed with his two-run blast over the left field fence to give ETSU its first lead of the game.

Caleb Glafenhein retired Furman in order in the ninth to nail down the win and record his sixth save of the season.

Buccaneer starting pitcher Drew Story (2-2) was the beneficiary of the Buccaneers' ninth inning rally, earning the victory after pitching eight innings and allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked four.

Hollstegge (0-5) absorbed the loss for Furman.

Furman took a 1-0 lead in the fourth after Bobby Hubbard doubled and later scored on a Jay Jackson grounder.

The Paladins made it 2-0 in the fifth after Marcus Rose led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice, stole third, and came home on a throwing error.

ETSU got on the board in the sixth on Danny Petro's solo home run off Paladin starting pitcher J.P. Goldsberry. Goldsberry allowed one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked two.

Furrman stretched its advantage to 3-1 in the eight after Will Stembridge drew a two-out, bases loaded walk.

Furman opens a three-game Southern Conference series at Elon on Friday. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.