Furman rallied from an early deficit, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh, to take a 2-1 win over the Presbyterian College softball team in the first game of a doubleheader this afternoon at the PC Softball Complex in Clinton, S.C. Furman won the second game 7-2.
PC drops to 13-22 overall, while Furman improves to 15-27.
PC scored first in game one after Tera Powell, who reached base on a fielder's choice, advanced to third off a Cat Tarvin single and came home off a fielding error by the Furman centerfielder in the third inning to give the Blue Hose the 1-0 lead.
After three scoreless innings, Furman opened the seventh with two straight hits. Two batters later, Sarah Eidt made it a 2-1 game with a single that glanced off the pitcher which allowed Ambree Muller to score. Jessie Homesley came home after the PC second baseman attempted to make the play at first and Furman led 2-1.
PC threatened in the bottom of the seventh after Rachel Hopper hit double to left field with one out. Mary Ellen Morris drew a walk to put runners on first and second, but the next batter struck out. Jill McLean, the next at-bat, hit the ball to the shortstop who made the force out at third to end the game.
Shelby Parker pitched a complete game for the Paladins, scattering five hits and surrendering one unearned run and striking out 10 for her fourth win of the season (4-3). Kensley Loudermelk took the loss to go to 7-5 after giving up two earned runs off five hits and five strikeouts.
Furman pounded out six hits and three runs in the first two innings of game two and looked to be in control before the Blue Hose came back in the fourth to make it a one run game. Morgan Durham led off the inning with a single and was followed by Tricia Hood, who singled to short to put Durham in scoring position. Two batters later Powell singled in Durham off a shot through the left side. She scored herself the next at bat off a fielding error by the Furman left fielder.
Furman used three straight hits and a PC error in the top of the sixth to score two more runs and led 5-2 heading into the seventh.
With two runners aboard in the top of the seventh, Homesley, who went four-for-five with three RBI hit a two-RBI double down the left field line as the Paladins took the 7-2 lead and eventual win.
Lauren Collier went 4.0 innings and gave up one earned run and seven hits to get the win for Furman (2-6). Lakyn Shull came in relief and threw 3.0 innings for the save, her fourth.
Leslie Hensley threw a complete game for the Blue Hose and gave up five earned runs off 15 hits. She struck out five in the losing effort (6-12).
PC travels to Radford for a three-game series with a doubleheader Saturday, April 14 at 1 p.m., and a single game Sunday, April 15 at 1 p.m.
Furman 2, Presbyterian College 1 (Apr 10, 2012 at Clinton, S.C.) (Game 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Furman.............. 000 000 2 - 2 6 1 (14-27)
Presbyterian College 001 000 0 - 1 5 2 (13-21)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Furman - Shelby Parker and Alex Bimonte. Presbyterian College - Loudermelk, Kensley;
Hensley, Leslie(7) and Taylor, Erin; Marshall, Jennifer.
Win-Shelby Parker(4-3) Loss-Loudermelk, Kensley(7-5) T-1:54 A-112
Weather: clear, windy
LOUDERMELK faced 2 batters in the 7th.
Furman 7, Presbyterian College 2 (Apr 10, 2012 at Clinton, S.C.) (Game 2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Furman.............. 030 002 2 - 7 15 3 (15-27)
Presbyterian College 000 200 0 - 2 8 3 (13-22)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Furman - Lauren Collier; Lakyn Shull(5) and Alex Bimonte. Presbyterian College -
Hensley, Leslie and Marshall, Jennifer.
Win-Lauren Collier(2-6) Save-Lakyn Shull(4) Loss-Hensley, Leslie(6-12) T-1:58 A-112
Weather: cloudy, windy
