May 13, 2008

Box Score

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Tennessee scored three unearned runs in the fifth inning to defeat Furman, 4-2, in baseball action Tuesday evening at Fluor Field in downtown Greenville.

The win snapped a nine-game losing streak for Tennessee (26-27) and sent Furman (29-21) to its sixth consecutive loss. The Paladins dropped their third decision this season at Fluor Field and are now winless in five games since the facility's opening in 2005.

With the game tied 1-1 with one out in the fifth, Cody Brown was hit by a pitch from Furman's Justin Holloway, and Danny Lima followed with a sharp grounder outside third base that was ruled fair to put runners at second and third. Spencer Hale, who relieved Holloway, retired Mike Moore on an infield fly for the second out, but Jarred Frazier's grounder was misplayed by Paladin third baseman Brian Harrison, allowing two runs to score. Josh Liles then followed with an RBI double off the left center field wall to plate Frazier, giving Tennessee a 4-1 lead.

It remained that way until the sixth when Bobby Hubbard belted a solo home run to right center field, chasing Volunteer starter Joey Rosas. Matt Heminway and Ryan Lee stroked consecutive two-out singles, but the Paladins' bid to extend the inning came up short after designated hitter Nick Karow's fly ball was caught at the center field fence, approximately 405 feet from home plate.

The Paladins were retired in order in the seventh and eighth before putting two runners on following a walk and error with two outs in the ninth. Tennesse closer Danny Wiltz, however, rallied to retire Marcus Rose on a check swing grounder to first base to end the game,

Rosas (4-2) was the beneficiary of the three-run Volunteer fifth, earning the victory after yielding five hits and two runs over five innings. He walked three and struck out six.

Holloway (1-3) took the loss after working 4 1/3 innings and giving up four hits and three runs, though only one was earned.

Paladin freshman Ryan Lang registered his most impressive outing of the season, tossing 3 1/3 innings of no-hit relief.

Ryan Lee went 2-for-4 for Furman, which out-hit Tennessee 7-5. Danny Lima's 2-for-3 performance paced the Volunteeers.

Furman returns to action on Thursday when it opens a three-game Southern Conference series against Georgia Southern in a 7:00 p.m. game. The Paladins and Eagles are tied for third place in the league standings with 15-9 records.