University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Furman
Bulldogs Edge Furman, 6-5 - UNC Asheville Bulldogs Official Athletics Site
01.01.1970 | Baseball
March 15, 2006
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Johnny Martinez's pinch-hit two run single in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted UNC Asheville to a 6-5 win over Furman in college baseball action at Greenwood Field Wednesday afternoon.
The victory went to reliever Ben Buchanan (1-4) who pitched out of trouble in the ninth inning to earn his first victory of the season.
The Bulldogs (7-12) trailed 5-4 after the Paladins scored three times in the top of the eighth but Brett Robinson reached on an infield single to open the inning. Elliott Arrington moved Robinson to third with a single to right-center.
Furman went to the bullpen and brought in left-hander Butch Pucteas to face Martinez. Arrington moved to second on a wild pitch. On the next pitch, Martinez singled to right field, scoring both runs easily and Asheville went in front, 6-5.
The Paladins (9-6) tried to rally in the ninth as with one out, Case Cassedy singled. Jay Jackson worked a walk to put runners on first and second.
A.J. Daviduk struck out but both runners moved up by stealing second and third. However, Buchanan got Joe Daysh to pop out to center field and end the game.
"We battled hard today and found a way to get the win against a tough Furman team," said Asheville coach Willie Stewart. "We fell behind but Johnny Martinez came through and got a huge hit for us. I like the way this team is playing as everyone is contributing."
The Paladins trailed 4-2 entering the eighth but quickly tied the game on back-to-back home runs by Jay Jackson and Daviduk off reliever Chris White. Furman took the lead, 5-4 on a run-scoring double from catcher Tony Maccani.
Furman opened the scoring in the first on Cassedy's sacrifice fly. The Bulldogs came back with three runs in the bottom of the first as Tony Campana scored on a passed ball and Kyle Smith delivered a two-run single to put Asheville on top, 3-1.
The Paladins cut the lead to 3-2 in third on a RBI-double from Cassedy. The Bulldogs came back and scored in the fourth on a run-scoring grounder from Steve Burnich.
Patrick Arnett took the loss for Furman and dropped to 1-3. Cassedy led the Paladins at the plate by going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Kyle Smith had two hits for the Bulldogs.
UNC Asheville starter Michael Bogaert pitched very well as he went six innings, allowing six hits, two runs, one earned, walking none and striking out three.
UNC Asheville hosts Hartford this Saturday in a doubleheader starting at Noon.
