March 2, 2008

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman Paladins claimed their second doubleheader sweep of New Jersey Tech in consecutive days with 10-3 and 11-1 decisons over the Highlanders Sunday afternoon at Furman Stadium.

The Paladins have now won five straight to improve to 5-1 on the season. Sunday's twinbill setbacks dropped New Jersey Tech to 1-6 on the campaign.

In game one, Campbell Lewis' two-out, three-run triple to right center field broke up open a tight game and lifted the Paladins to the 10-3 win, making a winner of Paladin starting pitcher Jay Jackson (2-0). Jackson tossed six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks while recording a career high 10 strikeouts.

Lewis went 3-for-4 at the plate, as did Joey Rodgers, who also scored three runs. Bobby Hubbard added a two-run triple in the eighth.

The Paladins fell behind 1-0 in the second after Tech's Mike Turner led off with a home run, depositing a Jackson offering over the left field fence.

Furman took a 2-1 lead in the third before the Highlanders came back with a two run fifth on a two-run blast to left field by Jim D'Aloia to give the Highlanders a 3-2 advantage.

The Paladins answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame with an RBI triple by Marcus Rose, who later scored on a wild pitch by Tech starting and losing pitcher Cory Kuzmik (0-1) to put Furman ahead 4-3.

Rodgers led off the seventh with his third hit of the contest, stole second, and moved to third on a wild pitch. After the Paladins loaded the bases with a pair of walks to Hubbard and Ryan Lee, John Paterson worked Highlander reliever Matt Melody for another base on balls to force home Rodgers. Lewis then followed with his three-run triple into the right center field gap to complete the four-run outburst and extend Furman's advantage to 8-3.

Freshman Chris Newell secured his first collegiate save with three innings of no-hit relief.

In game two Connor Lind drove in three runs and and Lee added two RBI to help finish the Paladins' four-game weekend sweep with am 11-1 victory.

Sophomore right-hander Justin Hollloway, making his first start on the mound for Furman, earned the win after working four innings in the designated seven inning game. The University of Georgia transfer allowed a run on four hits and two walks while striking out two.

Paladin relievers Barry Benton, Jay Friedman, and Nick Karow followed with three frames of shutout work.

Twleve players combined for 13 hits in the contest for the Paladins, who return to action on Wedensday when the travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to take on Gardner-Webb in a 3:00 p.m. game.