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TEMPE, Arizona – The Wofford College baseball team was defeated 9-3 by top-ranked Arizona State University on Tuesday night at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. Wofford scored three runs in the seventh, but the Sun Devil pitching staff combined for ten strikeouts on the night.
Wofford is now 17-10 on the season and 3-3 in the Southern Conference, while Arizona State is 26-1 overall and 3-0 in the Pac-10. The Terriers were led by Michael Gilmartin with two doubles, including one that drove in three runs in the seventh inning.
The Sun Devils scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. In the top of the second, the Terriers were able to get runners on base via a walk by Kyle Behrendt and Josh McKinney was hit by a pitch but Wofford did not score a run.
Arizona State added to the lead in the second inning when Jason Kipnis hit a three-run triple to deep centerfield. Kipnis scored on a sacrifice fly by Ike Davis to take a 6-0 lead on the Terriers. For Wofford in the top of the third, Jake Williams and Shane Kirkley reached base on walks and advanced on a passed ball, but the Terriers did not capitalize.
Both teams were held scoreless in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Michael Gilmartin led off the top of the sixth with a double for the Terriers, but was out at home on a fielder’s choice by Mo Seay.
In the bottom of the sixth, the bases were loaded for 2007 Pac-10 Player of the Year Brett Wallace, who hit a double to the right field gap to score three runs. The Sun Devils were up 9-0 after six innings. Wofford had the bases loaded in the seventh with two out, including a single by Jake Williams. A double to right field by Michael Gilmartin scored three runs for the Terriers. Wofford was down 9-3 at the seven-inning stretch.
Wofford’s Keith Munns reached first on an error in the top of the eighth, then Adam Kearney hit a single to right to advance Munns to third. However, the Terriers left both men on base at the end of the inning. In the top of the ninth, Jake Williams walked to lead off, but the Sun Devils struck out the final three batters.
For Wofford, starting pitcher John Cornely went 4.0 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. Reid McElveen struck out three of the first four batters he faced as he went 2.0 innings with two hits allowed. Drew Sheridan pitched an inning with one hit allowed. Arizona native Scott Summers threw the eighth inning and had one strikeout.
Arizona State starter Dustin Brader threw for 3.0 innings and did not allow a hit with three strikeouts and three walks. Seth Blair pitched 4.0 innings with three hits allowed and three strikeouts. Kyle Brule went 0.2 innings with a hit and strikeout. Ike Davis went the final 1.1 innings with three strikeouts and no hits allowed.
Wofford left six men on base, while Arizona State stranded five runners. The Sun Devils stole one base on the Terriers.
The Terriers faced a team that was ranked number one in the nation for the first time in school history. The Sun Devils are ranked first (unanimous) by all five major polls. The trip to Arizona State is the longest ever taken by the Terrier baseball team.
Wofford will complete the two game series against Arizona State on Wednesday at 9:00 pm. The Terriers return home on April 4 for a three-game series against The Citadel.
