CONWAY, S.C. – Senior Aaron Verrett (Jupiter, Fla./Polk C.C.) and sophomore Tommy Baldridge (Fort Mill, S.C./Fort Mill) hit home runs in a five-run fourth, but Furman (4-4) took a lead it would never relinquish with six runs in the fifth, defeating the Coastal Carolina University baseball team (3-7) 9-6 March 1 in Conway, S.C.

The Chanticleers scored a run in the first inning. Junior Chris Raber (Coplay, Pa./Whitehall) singled with one out and moved to third on a wild pitch from Mason Smith. He scored on another Smith wild pitch as junior Brant Peacher (Milton, Fla./Florida State) walked.

Furman tied the game in the second. Jay Jackson walked to open the frame and moved to second on an A.J. Davidiuk single. Jackson scored on a single to left from Joe Daysh.

Coastal would have its big inning in the fourth. Senior DJ Burns (Lynn, Mass./Chandler Gilbert J.C.) laid down a bunt which he beat out for a single. Burns moved to second on sophomore Derek Martin’s (Barnwell, S.C./Barnwell) walk. Senior Mike Fuentes (Miami, Fla./North Florida C.C.) moved both runners over and was safe on a throwing error by Case Cassedy, scoring Burns. Verrett then took a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall to make it 5-1. Two batters later, Baldridge hit his shot to right field for Coastal’s sixth run.

Furman took its lead in the fifth. Tony Maccani hit a one-out home run off freshman Bobby Gagg (Hamburg, N.J./Walkill). With two outs, Ben Terry walked and moved to second on a bunt single from Andrew Greene. Cassedy brought in a run on a double down the line, making it 6-3. A fielding error by Verrett brought home Greene and a Davidiuk single tied the game at six. Daysh gave Furman the lead with a two-run double to left off senior Mike Valter (Bloomingdale, N.J./Briarcliffe C.C.).

The Paladins added a run in the sixth on a single up the middle by Terry. Furman then scored a run in the eighth as Greene brought home pinch hitter Marcus Rose on a sacrifice fly.

Gagg took the loss for Coastal, going 4.2 innings, giving up seven runs, three earned, and seven hits with two strikeouts. The win went to Furman reliever Will Feemster, who pitched two innings, giving up only one hit and striking out two. Nick Hollstegge picked up his second save of the season by pitching the ninth.

Raber and Verrett had two hits apiece for Coastal, while the shortstop drove in three. For Furman, Davidiuk and Maccani had three hits apiece.

Coastal and Furman will meet in the CCU Tournament Friday, March 3, at 4 p.m. Prior to that game, Furman plays West Virginia University at noon.

NOTES: Baldridge and Verrett hit their first home runs of the season... Peacher had his team-leading fourth double of the season... Coastal now leads Furman 8-3 in the all-time series. It was Furman’s first win over Coastal since Feb. 7, 1992... Sophomore Donnie Presley (Leesburg, Va./Notre Dame Academy) and junior Travis Risser (Palmyra, Pa./James Madison) each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.