Box Score Game Box (pdf)
CHARLESTON, S.C. – In the first game of a weekend Southern Conference series, the Wofford baseball team was defeated 8-4 by The Citadel on Friday night at Riley Park. The Terriers had a 4-2 advantage after six innings, but the Bulldogs scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh on two hits, five walks, and two errors to take the lead.
Wofford is 10-16 overall and 0-7 in the Southern Conference. The Citadel is 10-15 overall and 2-5 in the conference. The Terriers had six players with one hit each, while James Foster scored two runs. The Bulldogs had two hits from Mason Davis and two RBIs from Hughston Armstrong.
The Terriers got on the board in the first inning when Konstantine Diamaduros singled and moved to second after a walk to Mac Doyle. During a double steal, a throwing error by the catcher allowed Diamaduros to score for a 1-0 lead. After Brandon Yarusi struck out the side, David Roney opened the second inning with a double, but he was left on base.
In the top of the third, James Foster singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. A double to left center by Mac Doyle drove in Foster for a 2-0 advantage. In the bottom of the third, Tyler Griffin was hit by a pitch and then a triple down the right line by Bailey Rush scored Griffin. A ground-out by Hughston Armstrong drove in Rush for a 2-2 contest.
Wofford regained the lead at 3-2 in the top of the fourth when Stephen Cantrell singled. He stole second before a single that dropped in front of the centerfielder by Matt Moore allowed Cantrell to score.
After the Bulldogs were retired in order in the bottom of the fourth, James Foster and Konstantine Diamaduros walked to lead off the fifth. A fielder’s choice for Mac Doyle and a throwing error allowed Foster to score to take a 4-2 lead.
The Citadel had two runners on base in the bottom of the sixth after a walk and a single, but both were stranded. Wofford left one on base in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs led off with a single by Bo Thompson and two walks loaded the bases with one out. On a double play ball, a Wofford error allowed two runs to score and the game was tied at 4. The Bulldogs loaded the bases again with another walk and a single, when two more walks made it a 6-4 game. An infield error allowed two more runs to score as the Bulldogs took an 8-4 lead before the Terriers could get the final out of the inning.
In the eighth and ninth innings, Wofford was retired in order to end the contest.
Wofford starter Brandon Yarusi (2-3) went 6.2 innings with three hits and five runs allowed with nine strikeouts, which ties his career high. Alex Wilson allowed three unearned runs on one hit with three walks. J.D. Osborne threw 1.1 innings and gave up one hit with two strikeouts.
The Citadel starter Austin Pritcher (3-1) went seven innings with six hits and four runs allowed and two strikeouts. Ryan Hines threw the final two innings without allowing a hit.
Wofford will continue the three-game series at The Citadel on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Next week the Terriers will play Tuesday and Wednesday at Virginia Tech.
