May 6, 2007

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Furman dropped a Southern Conference baseball doubleheader at Wofford on Sunday, falling 9-6 in 10 innings in game one and 6-1 in the seven inning nightcap.

The game one loss snapped an eight game series winning streak for Furman (14-34, 9-15 SoCon) and gave Wofford (23-26, 6-15 SoCon) its first triumph over the Paladins since 2004. The Paladins, who avoided the series sweep with an 11-2 triumph in Friday's opener, are currently eighth in the SoCon regular season standings, a game and half ahead of last place Wofford and Davidson.

Furman's 34 losses this year is just one shy of the program season record set in 1994, when the Paladins went 9-35.

In game one Eric Sturkie's walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning delievered the 9-6 win for Wofford.

Sturkie's decisive clout came after Sterling Dye doubled with one out but was thrown out at home by Furman left fielder Cole Franklin following Adam Wood's single through the left side. Wood, who advanced to second on the throw home, was pinch run for by Dave Banks. Chuck Eller then walked, and Sturkie followed with his game winning three-run blast to left field off Paladin reliever and losing pitcher Nick Hollstegge (3-5).

Michael Gilmartin (1-3) earned the win in relief after working the final 2 2/3 innings and allowing three hits, no runs, and two walks while striking out one.

Furman, which stranded a season high 17 runners in the contest, loaded the bases in the top of the 10th against Gilmartin but failed to score after Franklin was retired with one out on an infield pop, and Paul Ortenzo hit into a force play to end the threat.

The Paladins, who left the bases full in the second, fifth, eighth, and 10th innings, entered Sunday's action with the lowest team batting average (.268) and ranked last in the Southern Conference in virtually every other offensive category.

In game two Ben Austin (9-4) tossed a complete game four-hitter, and Brandon Waring belted a two-run home run to complete the twinbill sweep for the Terriers.

The loss went to Mason Smith (2-7), who allowed six runs, including four earned, on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out five.

Jay Jackson's sacrifice fly in the third inning tied the game at 1-1, but Waring put the Terriers ahead for good in the bottom of the frame with his school record 21st home run of the year, a two-run shot to left field.

Furman returns to action on Tuesday when it plays host to Charleston Southern in a 6:00 p.m. game.