Box Score Game Box (pdf)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On Friday night, the Wofford baseball team was defeated 7-1 by Samford at J.L. Griffin Field. The Terriers scored first in the top of the fourth inning, but four runs by the Bulldogs in the bottom half of the fourth inning proved to be the difference in the contest.

Wofford is now 21-29 on the season and 8-17 in the Southern Conference. Samford is 31-19 overall and 15-10 in conference play. The Terriers were limited to only four hits on the night by the Samford pitching staff, which is ranked first in the league. Phillip Ervin had three hits and two RBIs for the Bulldogs.

In the first three innings, Wofford stranded three runners and Samford left one on base. The Terriers got on the board in the top of the fourth when Josh McKinney walked, stole second and moved to third on a fly ball. A single by Landon Bennett up the middle drove in McKinney for a 1-0 lead.

The Bulldogs opened the bottom of the fourth with a single, double, single and double, on which three runs scored. Another single drove in a fourth run as Samford took a 4-1 advantage. The bases were loaded when the Terriers were able to pick up the final out of the inning.

The fifth and sixth innings were scoreless. In the top of the seventh, the Terriers loaded the bases with hits by Josh Hyman and James Foster and a fielder’s choice by Alex Lee. However a double play ended the scoring chance for Wofford.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs loaded the bases with a bunt single, hit by pitch and walk. A single by Phillip Ervin drove in a run for a 5-1 lead before a double play ended the seventh inning.

Wofford had two runners reach on walks in the top of the eighth, but both were left on base. In the bottom of the eighth, the Bulldogs added two more runs, one of which was unearned, as they pushed the lead to 7-1. The Terriers were retired in order in the top of the ninth to end the contest.

Wofford starter Cash Collins (8-3) went 6.1 innings and allowed nine hits and five runs with five strikeouts. Bobby Streisel, Ryan Traylor and Pete Noordsy combined for the final 1.2 innings and gave up two hits and two runs.

Samford starter Charles Basford (6-4) threw seven innings for the win and allowed only four hits and one run with three strikeouts. Grant Sides went a third of an inning and Andrew Jones picked up the save in 1.2 innings without allowing a hit.

Wofford will continue the series at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday with the final game scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. The final home series will begin on Friday, May 20 against UNC Greensboro at 7:00 p.m.