A week after getting swept and going scoreless at Ole Miss, Furman busted out of its offensive woes in a big way Friday at Latham Stadium. The Paladins had a pair of six-run innings to roll on to a 17-2 win over North Carolina A&T.
Furman got back on track as did 2016 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Jabari Richards. Back in the leadoff spot that he excelled in last year, Richards went 4-for-4, walked and was hit by a pitch. Richards, who entered Saturday having gone just 2-for-21 this season, also scored three runs and had two RBIs.
Richards led off Friday's game with a double and came around to score on an error to snap the Paladins' 33-inning scoreless streak.
"We just took a leap of faith on him (leading off again) and said 'hey, we're going to get you going,' and it paid off. ... I thought he put one out of here (to start the game), but it hit the top of the fence for a double," Furman coach Brett Harker said. "It just set the tone for the rest of the day. I thought the guys had quality at-bats, driving the ball all over the field."
Furman pushed the lead to 4-0 in the second thanks to RBI-singles by Jake Crawford and Richards. The Paladins put the game out of reach with six runs apiece in the fourth and fifth innings. Carter Grote and Brandon Elmy each had two-run doubles in the fourth. Grote had the big blow in the fifth when he tripled with the bases loaded.
Grote finished with a career-high five RBIs. Making his first start at second base, Dillion Love had three hits and two runs scored also for Furman (9-7). In limited action this season, Love is batting .500.
"Carter's just the heart and soul of our team and seeing him put some balls in the gap with runners on was really good to see," Harker said. "I tell the kids all the time, 'when you get opportunities, make the most of it,' and Dillon Love's doing that. He just looks like a different kid with the confidence he has right now."
That run support was more than enough for Paladins ace Will Gaddis (2-2), who hurled six scoreless innings. Gaddis allowed four hits, no walks and struck out seven.
"Will was really, really good and he was not happy when I took him out," Harker said. "Over the course of this year we're going to need to find outings here and there where he doesn't get extended. That's going to help him at the end of the year."
Adan Ordonez had a pair of doubles and Camden Williamson also had two hits for the Aggies (9-7).
Furman and North Carolina A&T are set to play game two of the series Saturday at 4 p.m.
*Video courtesy of Dan Scott.
No comments:
Post a Comment