GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- For the second straight game, the Marist baseball team was unable to overcome a one inning surge by the Furman Paladins and fell 5-4 in Game 2 of the 2018 season. 

SUMMARY:

For the second straight game the Paladins opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. After a lead off strikeout by senior Charlie Jerla, a Furman play reached on a hit by pitch. Two batters later, a two out single set up men on first and second and an RBI single up the middle by the following hitter gave Furman the 1-0 lead. 

Marist answered in the top of the third inning when junior Frankie Gregoire and senior Andrew Rouse walked with one out to set up men on first and second. Two batters later, senior Matt Iantosca followed with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Gregoire and sending Rouse to second. After a wild pitch set up men on second and third, Rouse scored on a fielding error by the pitcher and the Red Foxes held the 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Paladins exploded for four runs all with two outs. Redshirt senior Tyler Dearden, who replaced Jerla on the hill in the bottom of the third, got two quick outs before Furman strung together back-to-back singles and a two RBI double. After the next batter walked, senior Mike Coss replaced Dearden on the mound and a second two RBI double of the inning gave the Paladins the 5-2 lead. 

In the top of the fifth, Rouse led off with a single and after a strike out and fly out stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. During the same at bat, Rouse scored on a passed ball and the score was 5-3 in favor of the home team. 

Three innings later, Marist trimmed the deficit to 5-4 when Iantosca led off with a double and redshirt junior Jordan Roper followed with a walk. Iantosca advanced to third on a fly out and then scored on an RBI sac fly by pinch hitting redshirt junior Chris Tracz.

However, that was as close as the Red Foxes would get and Furman held on for the 5-4 win.

KEY STATS:

• Each team finished with 7 total hits
• Marist left 10 runners on base while the Paladins left 8
• Furman had 5 two out RBI while the Red Foxes had 1
• Marist finished 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position while the Paladins finished 3-for-8

UP NEXT:

The Red Foxes wrap up the seaon opening series with Furman on Sunday at 1 PM.