GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Josh Wirsu threw 6 2/3 inning of shutout ball and combined with reliever Jason Richman to blank Furman, 6-0, in the opening game of a three-game Southern Conference baseball series Friday evening at Latham Stadium.

Wirsu (9-3), a junior right-hander from Harlem, Ga., surrendered only four hits and worked around five walks with the help of nine strikeouts to help Georgia Southern (29-19, 11-11 SoCon) even its record in league play while cooling off Furman (18-25, 7-11 SoCon), which entered the game having won five of its last seven conference games.

Wirsu used a double play to escape a one-out, bases loaded situation in the fourth inning, and wiggled out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth by inducing an infield fly for the second out and ending the threat with a strikeout.

The Eagles provided their starting pitcher with all the runs they would need in the first after Kody Adams walked to lead off the game and advanced to third on a failed pitckoff attempt and throwing error by Furman starting pitcher Matt Solter (1-5). Aarron Mizzel's single to second base scored Adams to give Georgia Southern a 1-0 lead.

It remained 1-0 until the fifth when Adams doubled into the left field corner to score Garrett Chapman and Hunter Thomas.

The Eagles tacked on single runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.

Jason Richman relieved Wirsu with two outs in the seventh and worked the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing no hits while striking out two.

Georgia Southern banged out 10 hits, with Adams (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Mizell (2-for-3, run), and Chapman (2-for-4, RBI, run) leading the way.

Chris Ohmstede had two of Furman's four hits.

Solter was charged with the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits over six innings,.  He walked three and struck out six.

The Paladins and Eagles play Saturday at 4:00 p.m.