Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team defeated East Tennessee State 8-7 on Wednesday evening at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers used three runs, including a solo homer by Kyle Behrendt, in the bottom of the seventh to gain the lead in the victory. Overall, Wofford had 15 hits in the contest but committed four errors.
Wofford is 11-21 on the season and 4-8 in the SoCon, while East Tennessee State is 19-13 overall. The Terriers were led by Michael McDonnell with a pinch hit single that scored two runs and James Foster with three hits. For the Bucs, Paul Hoilman had three doubles and scored four runs to lead the team.
In the bottom of the second, Landon Bennett led-off with a double, which was followed by a double from Neil Robinette to score one run. Wofford added a walk to Josh McKinney and singles by James Foster and Matt Moore. A wild pitch with the bases loaded made it a 2-0 game. Alex Lee reached first safely on a bunt that scored Moore and a fielder’s choice by Mac Doyle made it a 4-0 score.
The Bucs got on the board in the top of the fourth when Paul Hoilman was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a walk and then third on a fielder’s choice. He scored on a wild pitch for a 4-1 game. Wofford answered in the bottom of the fourth when Matt Moore singled, advanced on a balk and then a single by James Foster scored Moore for a 5-1 score.
In the top of the fifth, the Bucs were able to tie the game with four runs on three hits and one Wofford error. A double from Paul Hoilman scored two runs and RBI singles from Bo Reeder and Andrew Green made it a 5-5 contest.
After a scoreless sixth, the Bucs took the lead in the top of the seventh. Paul Hoilman hit his third double of the game and scored on a single by Derek Trent. The lead was short for East Tennessee State, as Kyle Behrendt led-off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to right center to tie the game at six. Wofford then had singles from David Roney and Josh McKinney and both moved into scoring position after a balk. Michael McDonnell entered the game with two outs and hit a single to left field to score both runners and give the Terriers an 8-6 lead.
Neither team scored in the eighth inning, as the Bucs left two on base in their half of the frame. In the top of the ninth, Paul Hoilman was hit by a pitch and Derek Trent singled. With one out, Kerry Doane reached on an error that scored Hoilman. However a double play ended the inning and Wofford had the 8-7 victory.
For the Terriers, starter Gus White went four innings and allowed only one hit and one runs with two strikeouts. Anthony Rowland allowed three hits with one strikeout, while Pete Noordsy allowed two hits and one run in a third of an inning. Bobby Streisel went 1.1 innings and struck out the side in the sixth. Cash Collins (1-1) picked up the win with 1.2 innings of work with one run allowed on two hits and two strikeouts. Drew Sheridan had his third save of the season with one unearned run scored and one hit allowed in 1.1 innings.
East Tennessee State starter Josh Means went 1.2 innings and allowed seven hits and four runs. Pete Whittingslow threw 2.1 innings with one run on two hits and four strikeouts. Derek Bushey (0-1) worked two innings with three hits and two runs allowed with four strikeouts. Scott McNally went the final two innings with three hits and one run allowed with two strikeouts.
Wofford will begin a three-game series at the College of Charleston on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. The next home game will be Wednesday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. against Gardner-Webb.
