GREENVILLE, S.C.  (May 4, 2024) – Falling behind by three runs in the bottom of the first inning, the ETSU softball team battled back by plating solo runs in the second and third innings; however, Mother Nature was on the side of Furman as the Paladins were gifted a 3-2 five-inning victory on Saturday from a sloppy Pepsi Stadium.
 
The Bucs, who out-hit Furman 8-5, got an RBI double by Jasmine Sanchez in the top of the second, while Taylor Suchy drove in Sara Muir with an RBI single to center an inning later to pull within a run.
 
Unfortunately, with momentum on ETSU's side, the rain started to come down in the bottom of the fourth inning with no sign of stoppage of play by the umpires due to what appeared to feature unplayable field conditions at that point. Suchy battled through the elements and got out of the frame without allowing a run for the second straight frame.
 
In the fifth, Sara Muir and Riley Nayadley led off the inning with back-to-back singles, while ETSU finally loaded the bases after Suchy reached via a one-out error. However, with the bases full of Bucs, Faith Adams tapped into an inning-ending double play and Furman got out of the inning with the 3-2 lead intact.
 
Once Ashlee Lykins was hit in the foot to lead off the bottom of the fifth and the rain falling similar as it did in the bottom of the fourth, the umpires finally decided to pull the teams off the field for a rain delay. The damage was already done, and the field took on too much water and the game was finally called due to unplayable field conditions, giving Furman the rain-shortened win.
 
Nayadley went a perfect 3-for-3 to lead ETSU at the plate. Muir took the loss (4-8) in the circle after allowing three runs on four hits in two innings. Suchy tossed two scoreless innings of one-hit ball in relief.
 
Emme Buzhardt, who factored in all three games, earned the win (4-6) after registering two scoreless innings of two-hit ball in relief.
 
Saturday marked the final game of the regular season.
 
The Bucs, who moved to 11-38 overall and 5-16 in SoCon play, will now prep for the conference tournament which begins Wednesday in Greensboro, N.C. The Bucs will be the No. 8 seed and still await their opponent as the single-elimination game will be played at 10 a.m. at UNCG Softball Stadium.
 
Furman is the No. 6 seed after improving to 24-29, 9-12. The Paladins will take on No. 7 Western Carolina Wednesday at 1 p.m. 
 
For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball tab.