Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the first game of a three-game Southern Conference series, the Wofford baseball team won 11-5 over Elon at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers had a 3-1 lead before scoring six runs in the sixth inning to break open the contest.
Wofford is 15-22 overall and 4-12 in the Southern Conference. Elon is 22-18 overall and 12-7 in conference play. The Terriers were led by Josh Hyman with three hits and Matthew Pelt with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs. Wofford pitcher Brandon Yarusi allowed one run with six strikeouts for the win. The Phoenix was led by Sebastian Gomez with two hits and Blaine Bower with two RBIs.
After both sides were retired in order in the first inning, the Phoenix got on the board in the top of the second. Ryan Kinsella led off with a double and a double by Jake Luce made it a 1-0 game. In the bottom of the second, Wofford had runners on the corners after a walk to Eric Brenk and a single by Konstantine Diamaduros. A ground out by Matthew Pelt scored Brenk to tie the game at one.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Phoenix left two runners on base. With two out in the bottom of the fourth, Matthew Pelt hit his first career home run to give the Terriers a 2-1 lead.
The Phoenix left two runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth. Wofford led off their half of the fifth with a double by David Roney. After moving to third on a sacrifice bunt, Roney scored when Josh Hyman reached on an error for a 3-1 advantage.
Elon left two runners on base in the top of the sixth. Wofford had runners at first and third with two out when a double steal allowed Eric Brenk to score for a 4-1 lead. An RBI double down the right line by Stephen Cantrell added a run. James Foster reached on an error that plated two more runs for the Terriers. A balk allowed Foster from third base. Mac Doyle reached on a single and Josh Hyman was able to score from second on the play with help from an error as the Terriers extended the lead to 9-1.
After Elon left two runners on base in the top of the seventh, the Terriers loaded the bases on a walk and singles by Matthew Pelt and Luke Feisal. A sacrifice fly by Stephen Cantrell scored one run, while a throwing error on the play allowed a second run to score as Wofford took an 11-1 advantage.
In the top of the eighth, the Phoenix added two runs on wild pitches. A single up the middle by Blaine Bower drove in two runs as Elon cut the lead to 11-5. Wofford left one runner on base in the bottom of the eighth. In the top of the ninth, Elon led off with a double by Garrett Koster and he moved to third on an error. Three straight strikeouts by Alex Wilson ended the game.
Wofford starter Brandon Yarusi (4-4) threw 6.1 innings and allowed only one run on six hits with six strikeouts. J.D. Osborne went two-thirds of an inning with a strikeout and four runs scored. Alex Wilson threw the final two innings and allowed three hits with five strikeouts.
Elon starter Dylan Clark (7-3) worked 5.1 innings and allowed five runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Andrew MacDonald went a third of an inning with two hits and four runs allowed and one strikeout. Jim Stokes went the last 2.1 innings and gave up two runs on four hits.
Due to impending weather on Sunday, Wofford and Elon will begin the second game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday as part of a double header. Prior to the contest on Saturday, a dedication ceremony for the halo surrounding home plate will be held in memory of Jason Derrick ’96. Derrick was a pitcher for the Wofford baseball team from 1993-96.
