Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team scored eleven runs in the final three innings to defeat The Citadel 12-11 at Russell C. King Field on Saturday afternoon. The Terriers scored five runs in the seventh and eight innings to take a one run lead then won the game in the bottom of the ninth with a sacrifice fly by Mac Doyle.
Wofford is 9-18 on the season and 3-5 in the SoCon, while The Citadel is 20-8 overall and 10-1 in conference play. The Terriers were led by Mac Doyle and James Foster, who both had four hits and three RBIs in the game, while Kyle Behrendt also had three RBIs. The #25 ranked Bulldogs were led by Bryan Altman with four hits and three RBIs and Matt Simonelli with three RBIs.
The Citadel scored two runs in the top of the first as a single by Matt Simonelli scored William Ladd and a double by Bryan Altman drove in Simonelli for a 2-0 lead. Wofford left two runners on in the bottom of the first and one on base in the bottom of the second. The Bulldogs added two runs in the top of the third as Matt Simonelli doubled to left field to make it a 4-0 score.
Wofford got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Mike McDonnell doubled to left to led-off the inning and he was driven in on a single by James Foster. The Bulldogs answered with two more runs in the top of the sixth as Matt Simonelli reached on an error that allowed runners to score from second and third for a 6-1 advantage.
In the top of the seventh, Bryan Altman opened with a double and was brought home on a single by Justin Mackert. Matt Reifsnider hit into a double play with the bases loaded to score another run for an 8-1 lead. Wofford began the comeback in the bottom of the seventh as Mike McDonnell and Alex Lee walked and then advanced on a wild pitch. A single by James Foster scored one run, Josh McKinney reached on an error to bring home Lee and a double to left field by Kyle Behrendt added a third run. Mac Dolye homered to left field to score two more runs and it was an 8-6 game.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the top of the eighth as Bryan Altman hit a two-run shot to left field for a 10-6 lead. The Terriers answered with five runs on five hits along with two errors to take an 11-10 lead in the bottom of the eighth. James Foster had an RBI single, Josh McKinney reached on an error to score a run and Kyle Behrendt had a two-RBI double to tie the game at 10. Konstantine Diamaduros then hit a single through the right side to give the Terriers the lead.
In the top of the ninth, Kyle Jordan hit a solo home run to left center to tie the game at 11-11. Heading to the bottom of the ninth, James Foster doubled with one out. Josh McKinney was intentionally walked and Kyle Behrendt was hit by pitch to load the bases. Mac Doyle came to the plate and on a 3-1 count hit the ball to left field to score James Foster on the sacrifice fly for the 12-11 victory.
For the Terriers, starter J.D. Osborne went five innings with eight hits and four runs allowed with four strikeouts. Anthony Rowland threw an inning and allowed four runs on four hits with a strikeout. Gus White went two innings with two runs and two hits allowed, while Drew Sheridan (2-2) picked up the win by pitching the ninth and allowing only one run on one hit.
The Citadel starter Matt Talley went 6.2 innings with seven hits and five runs allowed with six strikeouts. Chris Boyce threw a third of an inning and allowed one run on a hit. Raymond Copenhaver threw 0.2 innings with four hits and five runs scored with a strikeout. Drew Mahaffey (1-1) had the loss with two hits and one run allowed. Matt Reifsnider got one out in the ninth.
Wofford will complete the three-game series against The Citadel on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Terriers will next be in action on Friday, April 9 at Western Carolina.
