April 14, 2007
Box Score
ELON, N.C. -- Furman and Elon split a Southern Conference baseball doubleheader Saturday at Latham Park, with Elon winning game one, 8-3, before Furman claimed game two, 11-2.
The split gave Elon (22-16, 11-4 SoCon) the series two games to one and marked only the second win in the last 13 games for Furman (10-25, 6-9 SoCon). The 11 runs in game two represented the Paladins' third highest scoring tally of the season and most runs since a 14-9 triumph over Gardner-Webb on March 21.
In game two Furman grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a Tony Maccani sacrifice fly that scored Connor Lind and a Will Stembridge fly ball that Elon left fielder Pat Irvine dropped, allowing Bobby Hubbard to score.
Elon cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the second as Chase Austin's fielder's choice plated Mike Melillo, who led the frame off with a triple to right-center.
The Paladins extended their lead to 5-1 in the third on a Stembridge three-run home run, which also plated Maccani, who had been hit by a pitch, and Jackson, who walked.
After Elon made it 5-2 with a run in the fifth, Furman answered with a run in the sixth on a two-out single by Marcus Rose that scored Joey Rodgers, who had walked, stolen second, and advanced to third on a throwing error.
Elon loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth on a single, walk, and Furman error, but Paladin reliever Ian Parry came on to induce Jordy Snyder into an inning ending double play to halt the threat.
Furman added an insurance run in the eighth on Rose's infield single. The Paladins then pushed across four unearned runs in the ninth to stretch their advantage to 11-2.
Mason Smith (2-5) earned the victory for the Paladins, surrendering two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Parry threw the final 3 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first save of the campaign.
Zach Booker (3-3) absorbed the loss in game two after giving up five runs, including four earned, on three hits in 4 2/3 innings of work.
In game one, the Paladins came out quick in the top of the first inning as Connor Lind walked and Marcus Rose reached on a bunt single before Tony Maccani put Furman on top 3-0 with a three-run homer, his sixth of the year, to left field.
Elon got on the board in the bottom of the second with three consecutive two-out singles. Mike Melillo got it started with an infield single which was followed by a ground ball through the left side of the infield from Chris Dove. Chase Austin then plated Melillo with a single to left to make it 3-1.
The Phoenix cut the deficit to 3-2 when Robert Rodebaugh led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run to right, his seventh of the year.
Rodebaugh and Ryan Addison started the Phoenix sixth with back-to-back singles off Furman reliever Butch Pucetas. After Pucetas was replaced by Spencer Hale, Melillo promptly walked to load the bases. Hale set the next two hitters down before Jordy Snyder drew a walk on a 3-2 count, forcing home Rodebaugh to knot the game at 3-3. Elon, however, would leave the bases loaded as Adam Weaver grounded out to first to end the Phoenix threat.
Elon took a 4-3 lead in the seventh when Chris Vasami lined a solo home run over the wall in right-center field.
The Phoenix broke the game open with a four-run eighth.
Jesse Lewter (1-1) earned his first win of the season in game one in relief of Will Romanowicz. Lewter threw 2 2/3 innings and did not allow a run.
Spencer Hale (0-2) was charged with the loss in relief of starter Jay Jackson after allowing five runs, inclulding four earned, on five hits in three innings. Jackson tossed five innings and left with a 3-2 lead after allowing two runs on five hits.
Furman returns to action on Tuesday when it takes on Tennessee in Knoxville in a 7:00 p.m. game.
