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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team used a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh by Michael Gilmartin to defeat Furman 7-6 on Saturday afternoon at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers had a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Furman tied the game in the top of the seventh before Gilmartin’s hit put Wofford in front.
Wofford is 16-17 on the season and 7-9 in the Southern Conference. Furman is 15-20 overall and 5-12 in the conference. The Terriers were led by Michael Gilmartin with two hits, two RBIs and the save. James Foster and Jake Williams each had two hits as well. Furman was led by Marcus Rose with three hits and Brian Harrison with two home runs and four RBIs.
The Terriers opened the game with a single from James Foster and he stole second. After advancing to third on a ground out, Foster scored on a wild pitch. A single by Josh McKinney added another run, while a double to left center from Mac Doyle added a third run. A double by Mike McDonnell scored Doyle and Wofford had a 4-0 lead after the first.
Wofford added a run in the bottom of the second as James Foster tripled and was driven in on a sacrifice fly by Michael Gilmartin. In the top of the third, a Wofford error allowed Furman to score a run to make it a 5-1 game.
In the bottom of the third, a single from Jake Williams scored Josh McKinney who had reached on a hit by pitch. Neither team scored in the fourth and it remained a 6-1 Wofford lead.
Furman came back in the fifth as a sacrifice fly from Justin Holloway scored one run. With two on base, Brian Harrison hit a ball over the wall in left field to make it a 6-4 game.
After a scoreless sixth, Furman opened the seventh with a double by Marcus Rose. A second home run of the game by Brian Harrison tied it at 6-6. The tie did not last long as Michael Gilmartin led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run over the 375 sign in right field to give Wofford a 7-6 lead.
Furman and Wofford both left two runners on base in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, the Paladins had one runner reach base on a walk, however he was stranded and the Terriers had the 7-6 win.
Wofford starter Bobby DeLuria went the first 4.2 innings with three hits and three runs allowed with three strikeouts. Bobby Streisel allowed one run on one hit, while J.D. Osborne went a third of an inning. Anthony Rowland (1-1) went two innings with three hits and two runs allowed. Michael Gilmartin threw the final two innings, allowing only one hit and striking out one for his seventh save of the season.
For the Paladins, starter Kevin Gaid threw the first inning and allowed four runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Jay Friedman (1-3) went the next 6.2 innings and allowed six hits and three runs with three strikeouts. Stephen Gary threw the final third of an inning without a hit allowed.
Wofford and Furman will complete the three-game conference series on Sunday at noon at Russell C. King Field. The noon start will be made to avoid predicted afternoon rain. With a 2-0 lead in the series, the Terriers will win the season match-up against Furman for just the third time since joining the Southern Conference (2004 and 2007).
