Box Score Game Box (pdf)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In the second game of the weekend series, the Wofford baseball team used strong pitching on the way to a 2-1 victory at J.L. Griffin Stadium. The Terriers scored one run in both the second and fourth innings and Samford was only able to scatter five hits in the contest.
Wofford is now 22-29 on the season and 9-17 in the Southern Conference. Samford is 31-20 overall and 15-11 in conference play. The Terriers were led by Josh McKinney and Konstantine Diamaduros with two hits each and Landon Bennett with two hits and two RBI. On the mound, Tom Dolinak allowed only four hits in the start and John Cornely struck out four for the save.
The Bulldogs threatened early with runners on second and third and nobody out in the bottom of the first, but both runners were stranded. In the top of the second inning, Josh McKinney doubled and reached third on a wild pitch. A single by Landon Bennett drove in McKinney for a 1-0 lead.
Samford answered in the bottom of the second when Kevin Putkonen led off with a triple and scored on a ground out by Stephen Ballard to tie the game at 1-1. Wofford was able to regain the lead in the top of the fourth. Josh McKinney singled and moved to second on a ground out. Once again, a single by Landon Bennett brought McKinney home for a 2-1 lead.
The Terriers had runners on first and third with one out in the top of the sixth, but were unable to add a run to the scoreboard. Each team left one runner on base in both the seventh and eighth innings.
In the top of the ninth, Wofford managed to load the bases on an error, single by James Foster and a walk, but all three runners were stranded. Samford was retired in order in the ninth by John Cornely, as he struck out four of the last five batters faced in the game. Cornely picked up the save in the 2-1 win, his ninth of the season. The nine saves are a school record for a single season.
Wofford starter Tom Dolinak (4-6) went seven innings and allowed only four hits and one run along with three strikeouts. John Cornely threw the final two innings and gave up only one hit with four strikeouts for the save.
Samford starter Josh Martin (4-2) went 6.2 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. Tyler Vanderheiden and Joseph Burns combined for an inning and allowed one hit. Arthur Strauss went the final 1.1 innings with one hit allowed and two strikeouts.
Wofford will conclude the series on Sunday with the final game scheduled for 2:00 p.m. After taking a week off for exams, the final home series will begin on Friday, May 20 against UNC Greensboro at 7:00 p.m.
