Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team was defeated 8-2 by Elon at Russell C. King Field on Friday night. The game was tied at one each after five innings, but six runs in the top of the sixth for the Phoenix allowed them to pick up the road win.
Wofford is 13-28 on the season and 6-13 in the Southern Conference. Elon is 29-16 overall and 13-9 in the conference. The Terriers were led by Kyle Behrendt with two hits and Landon Bennett and Josh McKinney each with RBIs. Elon was led by Mike Melilo and Scott Riddle, each with two hits and three RBIs.
After a scoreless first, the Phoenix got on the board in the top of the second when Matt Hinson reached on an error. A double by Scott Riddle to right center scored the run. The Terriers answered in the bottom of the second when Landon Bennett singled and a double by Michael McDonnell gave Wofford runners at second and third with one out. Josh McKinney laid down a perfect bunt in front of the plate that scored Bennett to tie the game.
It remained a pitcher’s duel through the fifth inning, as Elon added three hits and Wofford had two but it remained a 1-1 game.
In the top of the sixth, the Terriers got the first two outs of the inning. A walk and a home run to Scott Riddle gave the Phoenix a 3-1 lead. A hit by pitch, single and walk loaded the bases and Alex Swim drove in two runs with a single to left. Another single by Mike Melilo drove in two runs to make it a 7-1 score before Wofford could get the third out.
Wofford was able to get one run back in the bottom of the eighth when Kyle Behrendt was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by Mac Doyle to right field. A sacrifice fly by Landon Bennett scored Behrendt, but the Terriers left one on base at the end of the inning at 7-2.
The Phoenix made it 8-2 with a solo home run over the right field fence from Mike Melilo. There were two on and nobody out when Pete Noordsy entered the game and struck out the first batter and then a double play ended the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, Josh McKinney walked and David Roney singled with one out, however a double play ended the game for the Terriers.
For the Terriers, starter Tom Dolinak (0-4) went 5.2 innings with six hits and six runs allowed with four strikeouts. Cash Collins allowed two hits and one run in a third of an inning. Anthony Rowland threw two innings with not hits allowed and two strikeouts. Alex Wilson gave up one run and Pete Noordsy went the final inning with one strikeout and no hits allowed.
Elon starter Jimmy Reyes (7-3) threw 7.1 innings and allowed eight hits and two runs with eight strikeouts. Mitch Conner went an inning without allowing a hit with one strikeout and Greg Amorosso closed the final two-thirds of an inning with one hit allowed.
The Terriers continue the three-game series against Elon on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
