With a ninth inning rally, the Georgia Southern University baseball team defeated Furman University to improve to 2-0 in the Southern Conference Tournament.
Junior outfielder Stryker Brown began the top of the ninth with an infield single. With two outs and a 1-2 count, sophomore infielder Tyler Avera drew a nine-pitch walk. The next GSU batter was sophomore outfielder Zac Lenns who lined a 2-0 pitch into right field to plate Brown and tie the game. Avera would then score on a wild pitch, giving the Eagles the lead and eventually the win.
GSU sophomore starting pitcher Sam Howard turned in a great outing. Howard allowed two runs over 6.2 innings and had a career-high in punchouts, striking out nine Paladin hitters. Howard, however, received the no-decision. GSU senior relief pitcher Kyle Rowe sealed the victory for the Eagles, earning his fourth win of the season.
The win over Furman was Head Coach Rodney Hennon’s 500th career victory at GSU. GSU will play the winner of the Furman/Elon University game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Furman and Elon will play Friday evening at 7 p.m. in an elimination game.