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This past weekend the Paladins Softball Team battled in the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It would prove to be decent weekend of softball which was fueled by some great competition. Furman would take 2 games in the tournament with 2 of their losses against a very good SEC team in Alabama.
The first game would put Furman in a matchup with SIU Edwardville. The Paladins would definitely bring their bats in this one as they would explode with 13 hits in 5 inning to win 11-3 in 5 innings. SIUE would start out the first inning by taking a 1-0 lead but that would be short lived as Furman would take control with 5 runs in the top half of the 2nd which would be sparked by a Kiley Perry homerun which would be her 2nd homerun in 2 games. Logan Gunter and Rachel Hawkins would then follow up with back to back singles. With runners on the corners Gunter and Hawkins would execute a brilliant double steal to take the lead and Katie Peeler would follow up with a grounder to drive in another run. The 3rd inning would see the Paladins continue their hot streak to bring their lead to 8-1 which would be highlight by a Goldwalt two-run double to centerfield. Furman would close out with 3 more runs in the game to end it 11-3 with a run rule.Riccardi would work four-plus innings allowing three runs on 7 hits. Riccardi would take the win to bring her record to 2-3.Goldwalt would go 3for 3 and Hawkins would also go 3 for 3. It was a fantastic start to the weekend.
Next up for Furman would the 22nd ranks Crimson Tide which was the host team for the tournament. Furman would put up a valiant effort as they showed they would not be inimitadated against anyone in the country but would still fall to Alabama in 5 innings. Furman would take the early lead 1-0 on a Hawkins sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning but Alabama’s bats would come to life as they would put up 9 runs in the 2nd to inning to put them with a commanding lead 9-1. This streak would begin with three consecutive singles to load the bases and Salen Hawkins would draw a walk to tie the game up. Lily O’Bryan would come in relief of LauraLee Scott but would walk to batter as well as a 2 run single. Madison Petty would add a run in the 3rd inning off of a 2 out double. However, Alabama would add 4 more runs in the 4 the inning on their way to a run-rule win Scott would suffer the loss falling to 2-3 after allowing 5 runs
Saturday would prove to be a new day and The Paladins would start out the day on a great note.with an exciting win over UAB 10-9 UAB would hold a 5 run lead before Furman would rally back. UAB would jump to this lead in the 1st inning but Furman would not be denied as they would show massive courage and grit to come back and cut the lead to 5-4 with a pair of runs in the 1st and 4th innings respectively. However, Furman would have 7 errors which would help UAB open up their lead once again 8-4. With the momentum seeming to be in UAB’s favor The Paladins would strike again with 4 runs of their own in their half of the 6th. Kiley Perry would fuel this comeback as she would set a school record with 3 doubles in a single Ainsley Chiang and Hawkins would draw walks to load the bases while Katie Peeler would drive in a run to off a sacrifice fly to fuel the comeback Stoltzfus would reach base on an infield single and the throw would get away from the UAB fielder to drive in 2 runs. Furman had seemed to be out of it totally but this would bring them back to life to tie the game.Stolzfus would drive in the winning run as well in the 10th inning of 3-2 pitch to right field which would secure the huge victory.Stoltzfus would finish 3-4 with a double and 4 RBI’s. Emme Buzhardt would come out of the bullpen to work 2 masterful innings to get the win.
The final game of the day would put Furman once again against The Crimson Tide. Alabama’s bats would again turn out to be too much as Alabama would would blank the Palandins 8-0. Alabama would put up runs in the first 3 innings and would not turn back. The pitching of Alabama would be spectacular and Furman just could never get started. In the 6th inning the mercy rule would come in place as Salen Hawkins would drive in the final run to finish off Furman 8-0. Buzhardt would have a tough outing as she would give up 7 runs in 3.1 innings.
The Paladins would close the tournament out against SIUE. They would try to shake off the loss to Alabama but would fall The Paladins would again be shutout 4-0 LauraLee would take the loss after surrendering 4 run on 5 hits through 7 innings. She would strike out 5 and would have control with only 1 walk. Caitling Goldwait and kattie Peeler would each register doubles in the loss.
Goldwait and Perry were both selected to the All Crimson Classic team as both would do everything they could to have a competiive showing. However, when you go against the home team against the number 22 team in the country twice then that is a tough ticket to draw. Furman will be facing Clemson in a mid week game on Tuesday before returning home to the Charlotte 49ers.
