Greenville, S.C. – Brie Howard went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Sam Leski and Katie Raper belted back-to-back homers to lead Austin Peay to an 8-0 victory over Furman on the opening day of the Furman Softball Classic Friday afternoon at Pepsi Stadium.
 
After the Governors (9-3) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Leski and Raper went back-to-back as part of a three-run second inning to build a 4-0 lead. Austin Peay added a single run in the four inning and three more in the top of the sixth to force the mercy rule.
 
Samantha Miener tossed 3.2 scoreless innings before Ashley Martin (2-0) came out of the bullpen to earn the win by hurling 2.1 innings of one-hit ball. Angelina Ricciardi (1-3) suffered the loss after giving up four runs on five hits in one inning.
 
Ansley Chiang led the Paladins with a pair of hits.
 
The Paladins (3-8) return to action on Saturday the Paladins host Holy Cross and Morehead State beginning at 1:30 p.m.
 
Live statistics will be available for all 10 games this weekend via StatBroadcast.com at FurmanPaladins.com. 
 
FURMAN CLASSIC SCHEDULE
Friday
Holy Cross 5, Morehead State 2
Austin Peay 6, Holy Cross 1
Austin Peay 8 Furman 0 (6 Inn.)
6:30 PM – Northern Iowa vs. Morehead State* (Live Stats)
Saturday
11:00 AM – Austin Peay vs. Northern Iowa* (Live Stats)
1:30 PM – Holy Cross vs. Furman* (Live Stats)
4:00 PM – Morehead State vs. Furman* (Live Stats)
6:30 PM – Northern Iowa vs. Holy Cross* (Live Stats)
Sunday
11:30 AM – Morehead State vs. Austin Peay* (Live Stats)
^2:00 PM – Northern Iowa vs. Furman* (Live Stats)
 
* – designated home team
^ - ESPN+