Anderson leads Furman to series win

Freshman Ben Anderson had four RBIs in Furman's 9-1 win over
Central Connecticut State Sunday. Photo courtesy of Furman.

Furman freshman leadoff hitter Ben Anderson drove in four runs, Grant Schuermann hurled seven strong innings of one-run ball, and the Paladins claimed the series win over Central Connecticut State with a 9-1 victory Sunday at Latham Stadium.

Furman trailed 1-0 in the third when Logan Taplett led off the bottom half with a triple. Bret Huebner followed with a groundout to tie the game 1-1. The Paladins (6-5) took a 2-1 lead in the fifth when Huebner hit a one-out double and came home on a single by Anderson.

Furman busted the game open an inning later. Brandon Elmy had a sac fly and Taplett followed with an RBI-single to make it 4-1. With two outs and the bases loaded, Anderson drilled a bases-clearing double to right-center. Sims Griffith singled home Anderson to cap the six-run inning.

The Paladins closed out the scoring in the eighth when Huebner belted the second home run of his career.

Schuermann, who worked Sunday instead of Friday this weekend after recording a two-inning save at South Carolina last Tuesday, gave up one run on five hits in seven innings. Schuermann (2-1) had one walk and six strikeouts. Tyler Kimbrell closed out the game with to scoreless innings of relief. He allowed one hit, had one walk and struck out three. Kimbrell has 15 strikeouts and two walks in 8 1/3 innings this season.

Anderson, Taplett, Huebner and Jason Costa each had two hits to lead Furman.

The reigning Northeast Conference champion Blue Devils fell to 2-4 with the loss.

The Paladins return to action Tuesday for the first of two home games against Penn. Tuesday's game is scheduled for 4 p.m., while Wednesday's is set for 2 p.m.