With a ninth inning rally, the Georgia Southern University baseball team defeated Furman University to improve to 2-0 in the Southern Conference Tournament.

Junior outfielder Stryker Brown began the top of the ninth with an infield single. With two outs and a 1-2 count, sophomore infielder Tyler Avera drew a nine-pitch walk. The next GSU batter was sophomore outfielder Zac Lenns who lined a 2-0 pitch into right field to plate Brown and tie the game. Avera would then score on a wild pitch, giving the Eagles the lead and eventually the win.

GSU sophomore starting pitcher Sam Howard turned in a great outing. Howard allowed two runs over 6.2 innings and had a career-high in punchouts, striking out nine Paladin hitters. Howard, however, received the no-decision. GSU senior relief pitcher Kyle Rowe sealed the victory for the Eagles, earning his fourth win of the season.

The win over Furman was Head Coach Rodney Hennon’s 500^th career victory at GSU. GSU will play the winner of the Furman/Elon University game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Furman and Elon will play Friday evening at 7 p.m. in an elimination game.