Paladins Eliminate Top-Seeded Mountaineers

Game 10: #8 Furman 13, #1 Appalachian State 4
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SoCon Tournament Central

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Behind seven runs in the first inning and a career effort from freshman pitcher Elliott Warford, No.8 seed Furman eliminated top-seeded Appalachian State, 13-4 at Fluor Field Friday night. With the win, the Paladins improve to 28-30 on the season, while the Mountaineers fall to 39-16.

Furman advances to play No.4 Samford Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The Paladins will need to defeat the Bulldogs twice on Saturday in order to advance to Sunday's championship game.

Freshman third baseman Chris Ohmstede tied a season high with four hits, including a pair of doubles, while driving in three runs to lead the Paladins. Hunter Burton, Taylor Johnson, and Jake Jones each tallied three hits on the evening as Furman equaled a season high with 17 hits.

The 17 hits allowed by Appalachian State marked the second straight day that ASU's staff surrendered a season high in hits.

Appalachian State got on the board first with a single from Will Callaway in the bottom of the first. Tyler Tewell hit a double in right center to add two more runs for the Mountaineers.

Paul Nitto singled up the middle to bring home Will Owens and begin the seven-run inning for the Paladins. Will Miller reached after being hit by a wild pitch before he advanced on a wild pitch to score Jones. Will Mukiza then lined out to left to score the tying run.

The 3-3 tie was short-lived as a single through the left side from Burton brought home Miller to give the Paladins a lead they would not relinquish. Ohmstede's single to left scored Furman's fifth run of the inning. Jones singled to right to plate Burton and Ohmstede giving Furman a 7-3 lead.

Taylor Johnson and Burton both scored in the bottom of the second to extend Furman's lead, 9-3.

Furman added two more runs in the third when Jones scored off a Nitto double. Nitto later crossed the plate when Miller singled out to center to give the Paladins an 11-3 lead.

Ohmstede doubled to right center to score Burton, who reached on a single to the pitcher. Appalachian State's Hector Crespo scored a run in the seventh, but Furman responded when Owens scored off a Nitto single, to give the Paladins a 13-4 lead.

Tewell and Callaway each had two hits for the Mountaineers, who accumulated 10 as a squad.

Warford (6-0) took the win on the mound. During his eight innings of work, he allowed 10 hits and four runs while striking out eight batters. The freshman, who spent the majority of the season as Furman's closer, notched career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts, as he pitched past the fifth for the first time in his career.

Rob Marcello (6-4) took the loss after giving up six runs and being lifted after one third of an inning.

Appalachian State, the league's regular season co-champion, will await an at-large selection to the NCAA Baseball Championship on Monday's selection show broadcast at noon ET on ESPNU.