May 1, 2007

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Luke Stahl, Bryan Hamilton, and Matt Foard combined to toss a three-hitter and Aaron Bray's two-run sixth inning double snapped a 2-2 tie to give 25th-ranked Charlotte a 4-2 win over Furman in non-conference baseball action Tuesday night.

With the win Charlotte improves to 35-9 on the season and earns the season split with Furman, which claimed a 4-3 10-inning win over the 49ers in Greenville in February. The Paladins slip to 13-32 on the season.

Joey Rodgers, Connor Lind, and Spence Gibbs accounted for Furman's three hits -- all singles. Charlotte, meanwhile, managed just five hits against four Paladin pitchers, but two went for extra bases, including a solo home run by Kris Rochelle and Bray's key two-out, two-run double.

Hamilton (4-1) picked up the win after hurling three innings of no-hit relief while striking out two. Matt Foard earned his first save of the season after tossing the final three frames and giving up only one hit.

Butch Pucetas (0-2) was charged with the loss in relief. His one-out walk in the sixth to Rochelle proved to be costly as Rochelle and Chris Taylor, who singled with one out, came around to score on Bray's double to left center field off the Paladins' Will Feemster.

Furman starter J.P. Goldsberry pitched well, surrendering only two hits over 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two.

Rochelle's solo home run to left field in the first gave Charlotte at 1-0 lead.

The 49ers made it 2-0 in the second on Spencer Steedley's RBI single that plated Bray.

Furman tied the game with two unearned runs in the third on Bobby Hubbard's RBI grounder and on a fielding error by 49er third baseman Bray, which allowed Marcus Rose to score.

Furman returns to action on Friday when it opens a three-game Southern Conference series at Wofford beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday's and Sunday's 1:00 p.m. contest against the Terriers will be broadcast over Furman radio station WOLT-FM 103.3. Chuck Hussion will deliver the play-by-play.