SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Konstantine Diamaduros had five RBI’s including four on a game winning grand slam walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning to propel Wofford to a 7-3 victory over visiting USC Upstate on Thursday night at Russell C. King Field. Each team matched the other on the scoreboard in the same three innings with Wofford delivering the final blow in the ninth with four runs. The Terriers improve to 3-3 overall while the Spartans fall to 2-3.
In the first three first three innings neither teams could get the bats rolling as starting pitchers Scott Summers for the Terriers and Matt Branham kept both team’s hitters in check. Summers only allowed two runners to reach base while striking out three. Branham matched Summers by only allowing three base runners along with striking out three.
USC Upstate opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Phillip Morgan reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to third on a one out double by Austin Moyer to put runners at second and third. Jeff Medley then grounded out to shortstop driving in an RBI to give the Spartans a one run lead. However, the Terriers responded in the bottom of the fourth with two runs of their own. Michael Gilmartin singled to left and advanced to third on a well executed hit and run single by Kyle Behrendt leaving runners on the corners. Both runners would then score after singles by Diamaduros and Mac Doyle to give the Terriers a 2-1 advantage heading to the fifth.
Like the first three innings, solid pitching left the score at 2-1 heading into the seventh inning where both teams struck again. Kyle Simpson singled after Brian Dempsey reached on an error to give the Spartans two on with one out following a strike out by Tommy Shovlin. Blake green then singled to drive in Dempsey to knot the score at two. Terrier’s reliever Bobby Streisel then came in relief to bail the Terriers out of a jam leaving two Spartans on base ending the inning. As they did in the fourth inning Wofford answered right back. Neil Robinette singled to open the inning and was replaced by Bo Brandt to pinch run. Brandt would later score on a double by Alex Lee giving the Terriers a 3-2 lead heading into the eighth.
The Spartans would even things at three in the top half of the ninth when Simpson was scored on a double to right field by Eric Guillen. Terrier pitcher Gilmartin would then get a ground out and two strikeouts to end the inning. With the score tied at three, Josh McKinney drew a walk and advanced to third on a single by Gilmartin. Behrendt was then put on first by an intentional walk to load the bases. Jake Williams stuck out swinging giving the Spartans two outs which set the stage for Diamaduros. Diamaduros took the first pitch he saw and sent it into the train tracks in right field for a walk-off grand slam homerun giving the Terriers the 7-3 victory.
The Terriers were led at the plate by Diamaduros, Gilmartin and Doyle who all tallied two hit each. Diamaduros led the way in RBI’s with five while Lee added one as did Doyle. Simpson led the way with two hits for the Spartans.
Gilmartin picked his first win of the year for the Terriers going one and one third innings allowing one run on one hit and striking out three. Tyler Oliver took the loss for the Spartans and stands at 0-1 on the year.
Starting pitcher for the Terriers Summers earned a no decision going six and two thirds innings giving up two runs, one earned, five hits, striking out seven and only walking one batter. Branham also earned a no decision for the Spartans as he went six and one third innings surrendering seven hits, three earned runs along with striking out six and walking three.
The Terriers return to the diamond on Friday at 2 p.m. as they start a four game home stand against defending A-10 champion Xavier.
