Win Streak Snapped at Furman - UNC Asheville Bulldogs Official Athletics Site

April 18, 2007

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Joe Daysh hit a grand slam to highlight a six run first inning for Furman who defeated UNC Asheville 10-6 Wednesday night snapping the Bulldogs four-game winning streak.

UNC Asheville (17-24) hit a season-high three home runs in the game but could not overcome the slow start. The Bulldogs scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Rob Vernon reached on a fielder's choice and David Williams walked. Elliott Arrington lined a two-RBI double to right center to score both runners but was thrown out trying to extend the hit into a triple.

Furman (11-26) took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Asheville starter Josh Let (0-4) retired the first man he faced before giving up six-straight hits. Joey Rodgers laid down a bunt single and Bobby Hubbard hit his fifth home run of the year to center field to tie the game. Tony Maccani and Jay Jackson had back-to-back hits before Will Stembridge had a bunt single to load the bases. Daysh followed with his third home run of the year to make it a 6-2 game. Andrew Alexander relieved Lett who had his shortest outing of the season.

The Paladins made it 7-2 in the third inning. Jackson singled and move to third on a hit by Stembridge. Daysh hit a sacrifice fly to score Jackson and give Daysh five RBI on the game. That was the only run Alexander would allow in 2.2 innings of work.

The lead grew to 10-2 in the fourth. Conner Lind drew a lead off walk. Rodgers got his second bunt hit of the night and both runners moved to second and third on a throwing error. Hubbard lifted a fly ball that was dropped in left field scoring Lind and Rogers. After a passed ball moved Hubbard to third base, he scored on an RBI single by Maccani. All three runs in the inning were unearned.

The Bulldogs began to battle back in the fifth. Edmund Locklear belted his second home run of the year out to right field. In the sixth, Kevin Mattison extended his hit streak to 10 straight games with a base hit. Matt Henson followed with his second home run of the year to make the score 10-5. Both of Henson's home runs have come against Furman. The Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out, but Paladin reliever Mason Smith got a strike out and a pop up to get out of the inning.

Arrington finished the scoring with his third home run of the season to center field in the eighth inning. Arrington went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the game. He now has 14 RBI in the last eight games.

J.P. Goldsberry (1-1) picked up the win going five innings allowing three runs on three hits. Ian Perry earned his second save of the year going three innings allowing just the Arrington home run.

The Asheville bullpen went 7.2 innings allowing just one earned run on eight hits. The Paladins did not get a hit after the fifth inning.

Asheville returns home to open a key Big South series against High Point on Friday at 3 p.m. at Greenwood Field.