The Citadel Edges Furman, 9-5, in Game Three

CHARLESTON, S.C. ? No. 1 seeded The Citadel used a four-run seventh to pull away from No. 8 Furman and claim a 9-5 victory in game three of the 2010 Bennett Hofford Southern Conference Baseball Championship presented by Carolina Ford Dealers.

The Citadel (39-20) will face the winner of Elon and Samford Thursday at 5 p.m. in the winner’s bracket. Furman (19-36) will take on the loser of that game at 1 p.m.

The Paladins rallied back to tie the game in the top of the seventh, but the Bulldogs responded immediately, putting four runs on the board and pulling ahead for good.

Outfielder William Ladd led the Bulldogs, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. First baseman Justin Mackert went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and one run, while second baseman Bryan Altman hit 2-for-4 bringing in two runs. Mackert also registered two stolen bases.

Third baseman Brian Harrison went 3-for-4 with one run scored for the Paladins. Designated hitter Wade Reese hit 2-for-4 with an RBI, while second baseman Will Muzika brought in two runs.

Asher Wojciechowski (11-2) earned the victory, surrendering five runs, four of which were earned. He gave up 11 hits and struck out eight.

Ian Parry (5-7) suffered the loss, giving up eight earned runs. He fanned four batters.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the bottom of the first. Mackert singled to right field, scoring designated hitter Brad Felder and outfielder Nick Orvin.

Furman answered in the fourth, getting a run on the board from Harrison who scored when Muzika grounded out to the shortstop.

The Citadel followed in the top of the fifth with two runs. Ladd was plated on a fly out by outfielder Matt Simonelli. A single by Altman scored Felder.

In the bottom of the fifth the Paladins pulled within two. Outfielder Will Owens crossed home plate on a single up the middle by Muzika.

Furman held the Bulldogs scoreless in the top of the seventh, and then catcher Dylan Cole and shortstop J.B. Jenkins hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game at four.

The Citadel took the lead again in the bottom half of the seventh, tacking on four runs. Mackert reached first on a fielder’s choice and scored Orvin. Shortstop Kyle Jordan then doubled down the left field line to score Mackert and Altman. A single through the left side by third baseman David Greene plated Jordan, and the Bulldogs took an 8-4 lead.

The Paladins pulled within three in the top of the eighth as Wade doubled to bring in Thompkins. Wojciechowski retired the next two batters to end the inning.

The Bulldogs committed one error and left four on base while the Paladins stranded nine runners.