Apr. 26, 2003

Greenville, SC - Furman used a five-run third and a seven-run fourth to defeat The Citadel 15-8 in Southern Conference baseball action Saturday night in Furman Baseball Stadium.

The Citadel (24-18, 13-7 SoCon) got a run on the first as Brook Dantzler drove-in Jon Aughey on a single to left to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead. Aughey, who singled to lead off the game, advanced to second on Andy Phillips sac bunt.

Furman (22-17, 12-11 SoCon) took the lead in the bottom half of the first on a RBI groundout and a RBI base hit. Derek Norman tied the score 1-1 as he drove-in Clint Hill, while Sam McLain plated Dominic Frankey on a base hit to take the lead 2-1.

The Paladins exploded for five runs in the third and seven in the fourth to blow the game open 14-1. Frankey connected for two doubles, a single and scored three run, while Norman and Case Cassedy both added two hits. Norman also scored two runs and Cassedy drove-in three.

In the fifth, the Bulldogs added their second run in the fifth on Aughey's double to right-centerfield. Aughey plated Matt Matulia from first after he reached on a base hit to left.

The Bulldogs cut the score to 14-5 with three runs in the seventh. Jason Randall had the big hit of the inning as he connected for his sixth homer of season. The two-run blast sailed over the left-centerfield fence. Dantzler then plated Aughey, who singled with two outs, for the second time in the game.

With a run in the eighth, The Citadel scored their sixth run of the game on a fielder's choice that allowed Ard to score from third. Ard started the inning with a single and scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Randall.

A.J. Davidiuk hit a ground rule double to center that scored Cole Hubka from second after he advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. The eighth inning run gave the Paladins a 15-6 lead.

The Dogs tried to rally with a Trent Weathers' two-run single in the top of the ninth that brought home Chip Cannon and Dantzler to cut the lead to 15-8. Paladin relief pitcher got Stackley to fly out and Will Coker to lineout to end the Bulldog rally and end the game.

Aughey, Dantzler and Weathers led the Bulldogs with three hits apiece. Dantzler also had two runs batted in as Randall added three RBI.

Kyle Funk (5-2) earned his fifth win of the season for Furman on seven innings of work as he allowed five runs. Ken Egelton (4-3) took the loss for The Citadel on 2.2 innings pitched. Egelton allowed seven runs, five earned, on nine hits.

The Bulldogs and the Paladins will meet in the finale of the three-game Southern Conference series on Sunday, April 27, at 1:00 pm