Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the season opener, the Wofford College baseball team was defeated 10-4 by the University of Kentucky at Russell C. King Field. The Wildcats scored six runs in the final two innings, while Stephen Cantrell hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth for the Terriers.
Wofford is 1-0 and Kentucky is 1-0 after the first game of the season. The Terriers were led by David Roney with two hits and Stephen Cantrell with three RBI. Cash Collins did not allow an earned run in the start. The Wildcats were led by Michael Williams, Lucas Witt, and Cameron Flynn, each with two hits and an RBI. Taylor Rogers struck out nine batters in the win.
The Wildcats left two runners in scoring position in the top of the second inning and the Terriers had runners on the corners at the end of the second. In the top of the third, Kentucky got on the board when Luke Maile reached on an error and Austin Cousino scored from third. The Wildcats added another run on an RBI single by Michael Williams to take a 2-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the third, Matthew Kaskow had his first career hit and Josh Hyman added a single, but both were left on base. Wofford got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Eric Brenk singled and then scored on ground out by Luke Feisal. The Wildcats added an unearned run in the top of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead.
Kentucky added a run on a solo homer by Thomas McCarthy in the top of the seventh. In the top of the eighth, Cameron Flynn and Austin Cousino hit RBI doubles and Matt Reida had an RBI single as the Wildcats increased the lead to 7-1.
Mac Doyle hit a triple to right centerfield for the Terriers in the bottom of the eighth, but was left on base. Kentucky added three runs on two hits to make it a 10-1 game in the top of the ninth. After a double by David Roney and walk by Clark Wise, Stephen Cantrell hit a three- run homer in the bottom of the ninth to cut the lead to 10-4. It was the first home run of his career. Wofford then loaded the bases on three straight walks, but were unable to plate another run.
Wofford starter Cash Collins (0-1) went 6.1 innings and allowed five hits and three unearned runs with three strikeouts. Anthony Rowland threw two-third of an inning and allowed one run on one hit with a strikeout. Dominick Del Monte retired the lone batter he faced in the eighth. Gus White allowed three runs on four hits in two thirds of an inning. Mason Bradley worked the ninth and allowed three runs on two hits.
Kentucky starter Taylor Rogers (1-0) threw six innings and allowed five hits and one run with nine strikeouts. Walter Wijas went two innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Chris Garrison and A.J. Reed combined for the final three outs without allowing a hit and each had one strikeout.
The Terriers will play Dayton on Saturday at 2:00 pm and Ball State on Sunday at 1:00 pm.
