In the weird, wonderful world of baseball, here's one out of left field: Furman snapped its longest losing streak in 13 years Friday after its ace pitcher allowed a career-high 13 hits.
Will Gaddis scattered those 13 hits over seven innings as the Paladins won 6-5 at Western Carolina. Gaddis (3-3) gave up four runs, walked one and struck out four as Furman ended a nine-game losing streak. The Paladins' win also snapped the Catamounts' seven-game winning streak.
Furman (12-20, 2-8 Southern Conference) trailed 2-0 in the fourth when Friday's designated hitter Jason Costa singled, stole second and took third on a passed ball. As part of a double steal, Costa stole home to cut the lead in half.
After Carter Grote and Brandon Elmy began the sixth inning with singles, Costa followed with a home run to put the Paladins ahead 5-2. In 17 starts and just 70 at-bats this season, Costa ranks second on the team in batting average (.343) and homers (4).
The Catamounts (16-16, 7-3) scored twice in the seventh inning to cut the lead to 5-4, but Costa helped Furman answer in the eighth. Costa drew a walk leading off the inning and later scored on Cameron Whitehead's sacrifice fly.
Western Carolina cut the lead to 6-5 in the ninth and had runners on first and third with two out. Furman's Jake Crawford got Andrew Bullock to line out to first to end the game and record his fourth save.
Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Friday. First pitch shifted from 5 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. because of weather concerns.
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