The Furman Paladins battered Georgia Southern’s bullpen for 10 runs in the eighth inning and ran away with a 13-5 win Friday in the first of a three-game series at J.I. Clements Stadium.
    The Eagles (24-22, 12-13 Southern Conference) led 5-3 after seven inning, but Furman (25-19, 11-14) pounded off eight hits and drew three walks off of GSU pitching in the frame.
    Chris Myers faced two batters in the eighth after entering the game in the seventh, and Sam Howard, Clint Taylor and Drew Johnson each saw the mound in the frame. Howard allowed five runs on two hits and three walks.
    The Eagles led early, after Kyle Streicher ripped a three-run triple with the bases loaded to the right-center gap with two outs in the second. Ben Morgan singled in the third to drive in T.D. Davis and put GSU up 4-2.
    Morgan hit a solo home run in the sixth.
    The Paladins got on the board in the top of the first when Will Muzika's RBI double drove in Jake Jones. Muzika took third on a throwing error by Morgan, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Greg Harrison (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBIs) to give Furman a 2-0 lead.
    Trailing 4-2, the Paladins added another in the fourth when Paul Nitto singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Ohmstede (3-for-4, 4 RBIs).
    GSU starter Justin Hess, who took a no decision, struck out two with a runner on third to end the frame.
    Hess worked his way out of trouble on three occaisions. The Paladins had runners on second and third with one out in the third, and Hess struck out cleanup hitter Taylor Johnson and Harrison to slam the door on the threat. Hess got a popout and a strikeout to get out of the sixth with two on and one out.
    Hess went 6.1 innings, striking out nine. He allowed three runs, two earned, and walked three. He left the game with a 5-3 lead.
    The teams play the second game of the series today at 10:30 a.m.
NOTES: The game started late after an 11-minute rain delay. ... Hess, a senior, started against Furman for the first time in his career. … Announced attendance was 941. … The J.I. Clements concessions stand will serve breakfast food at today’s game.

    Matt Yogus may be reached at (912) 489-9408.