March 16, 2012

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball team dropped a 3-2 decision to Furman in the first game of a three-game Southern Conference series Friday evening at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

With the loss, Samford falls to 11-7 overall and 2-2 in Southern Conference play. Furman improves to 11-8 overall and 1-3 in league play.

For Samford at the plate, Saxon Butler, Tommy Corbin and Austin Allison had two hits each. Zeth Stone and Brandon Miller drove in a run each in the loss for the Bulldogs.

Kyle Putkonen (0-3) pitched 7.1 innings, giving up three runs, only two earned, on seven hits to take the loss on the mound for Samford. Putkonen struck out six batters, while allowing two walks.

For Furman at the plate, Chris Ohmstede went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Will Owens and Taylor Johnson each went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Paladins.

Furman's Bobby Lyne (3-2) pitched 7.0 innings, allowing no runs on six hits and striking out five batters to earn the win on the mound for the Paladins. Elliott Warford pitched the final inning, giving up one run on two hits to earn his fifth save of the season.

Furman jumped on top first with a run in the top of the third inning. Owens doubled down the left-field line to get things started for the Paladins. After advancing to third base on a fly out, Owens scored when Will Muzika reached base on a fielder's choice for a 1-0 Furman lead.

The Paladins added a run in the top of the fourth inning to push their lead to 2-0. Johnson doubled down the right-field line to lead off the inning. Ohmstede later singled to drive in Johnson to give Furman a two-run lead.

Furman plated another run in the top of the eighth inning to make the score 3-0. Alex Abrams singled with one out in the inning to start the rally. Abrams later scored when Ohmstede reached base on an infield single for Furman's third run of the game.

Samford came back with a run in the eighth inning to cut the Furman lead to 3-1. Allison reached base on an error and Stone walked to start the rally. With one out in the inning, Stone advanced to second base and Allison to third on a wild pitch. Butler was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Allison then scored when Miller grounded out for Samford's first run of the game.

The Bulldogs added another run in the ninth inning, but they could get no closer as they eventually fell to Furman, 3-2. With one out in the ninth inning, Corbin singled up the middle to get things started. Kevin Putkonen then reached base on a fielder's choice and Corbin advanced to second base on a Furman error.

Allison then singled to load the bases. Corbin scored from third base when Stone flew out to center field to make the score 3-2. Moss then walked to load the bases with two outs, but the Bulldogs were unable to bring the game-tying run to the plate.

The teams will continue the series with a game Saturday at 2 p.m. The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. Fans can also follow the game online via GameTracker at the link below.

GameTracker for Saturday's Game