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GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Samford University baseball team won at Furman for the second straight day Friday as the Bulldogs earned a key 4-2 Southern Conference triumph over the Paladins held at Latham Stadium.
 
In the victory, Samford (14-14, 3-2 SoCon) used a strong performance from true freshman starting pitcher Samuel Strickland (4-0), as well as brilliant relief outings from seniors Josh Rich and Wyatt Burns to stymie the Furman (13-14, 0-2 SoCon) hitters. The Bulldogs only allowed seven total hits in the contest and a single earned run.
 
Strickland remained undefeated on the season and struck out three Paladins in five innings of action. Both of Furman's runs were scored under his watch, but he ultimately only allowed one earned run on five hits.
 
The Bulldogs' bullpen continued to be dominant Friday. After a game-winning performance Thursday, Samford's relievers also shined in the second contest of the series by not allowing a run in the final four innings of play. Rich entered the game in the sixth inning and only allowed two hits in three frames. He also struck out a team-high four batters in the contest.
 
Following a huge pinch-hit home run from Connor Burns in the top of the ninth inning, Samford Wyatt Burns entered the game in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the side for a second straight outing to close out the Bulldogs' victory.
 
Wyatt Burns, who is the active career leader in saves in the SoCon, notched his fourth save of the season Friday, as well as the 24^th of his illustrious career.
 
Furman scored first in the game with a run in the bottom of the third inning, but then Samford rallied back to cross the plate three times in the top of the fourth to garner its 3-1 advantage in the contest. The Bulldogs' runs in the inning were driven in by Max Pinto, Ayrton Schafer and Taylor Garris.
 
Garris paced Samford with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate Friday. The Bulldogs' sophomore third baseman is now batting .625 (5-for-8) this week against Furman.
 
Samford's Pinto and Schafer also posted multi-hit outings in the 4-2 victory, while Branden Fryman, Austin Edens, Anthony Mulrine and Burns turned in key base hits.
 
The Samford University baseball team will play for the three-game series sweep Saturday at noon (CT) as the Bulldogs and Paladins face off in the third-and-final matchup of the week being held here at Latham Stadium.
 
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