Back in lineup, Kay helps Furman win 8th in a row

For baseball coaches, it must be very tempting to not dare tinker with the starting lineup of a team on a long winning streak. However, Furman coach Brett Harker made one change to his lineup for Tuesday's game against UNC Asheville and the Paladins didn't miss a beat - and didn't miss many baseballs either.

Furman piled up 17 hits and got solid pitching throughout in a 12-1 win at Latham Stadium. The Paladins (19-20) have won eight consecutive games for the first time since 2005.

The lineup change saw Landon Kay return after not having played in two weeks. Despite being one of the top hitters on the team this season, Kay was the odd man out in some lineup changes that helped spur Furman's turnaround from a nine-game losing streak.

Kay appeared to have not missed a beat Tuesday as he went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run.

Carter Grote staked the Paladins to a 1-0 lead in the first with a homer. Furman took command with a five-run fourth inning, highlight by Sky Overton's three-run homer. It was the fourth long ball this season for Kay, Grote and Overton.

Grote went 2-for-3 with two runs and 3 RBIs, while Overton had three hits, two runs and three RBIs. Jake Crawford went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs also for the Paladins.

Trent Alley (1-0) allowed one run on five hits in a season-high six innings to collect the win. Alley had one walk and four strikeouts. Furman relievers Tyler Kimbrell, Rutty Jones and Austin Wood blanked the Bulldogs (17-24) on one hit, and combined for no walks and four strikeouts, the rest of the way.

The Paladins travel to Gardner-Webb Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game. Crawford is expected to make his first pitching start of the season for Furman.

*Video courtesy of Dan Scott.