Box Score Game Box (pdf)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team rode a complete game shutout by pitcher Brandon Yarusi to take a 2-0 win over Western Carolina at Russell C. King Field on Friday night. Each team had nine hits in the contest, but the Terriers were able to score two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning in the victory.

Wofford is 12-18 overall and 2-8 in the Southern Conference. Western Carolina is 21-10 overall and 6-4 in conference play. The Terriers were led by Brandon Yarusi with seven strikeouts in the first nine inning complete game shutout for Wofford since 2001. Konstantine Diamaduros had two hits, while David Roney and Stephen Cantrell had RBIs. The Catamounts were led by Jacob Hoyle and Bradley Strong with two hits each.

In the first three innings, Wofford and Western Carolina each had four hits as Wofford left one on base and the Catamounts stranded three. In the bottom of the fourth, Konstantine Diamaduros led off with a double and he moved to third on a single by Eric Brenk. David Roney bunted safely to score Diamaduros for a 1-0 lead. A walk to Taylor Rozier loaded the bases and then an RBI single by Stephen Cantrell made it a 2-0 game.

After neither team scored in the fifth or sixth innings, the Catamounts had two singles in the top of the seventh with one out. A fielder’s choice and strikeout ended the scoring threat by Western Carolina. Wofford and Western Carolina both left one runner on base in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, Jacob Hoyle singled with one out but a fly ball and ground out ended the contest. 

Wofford starter Brandon Yarusi (3-3) went the complete nine innings and allowed nine hits with seven strikeouts and did not issue a walk. It was the first nine inning complete game shutout for a Terrier pitcher since Blake Timanus took a 2-0 win over Charleston Southern on May 8, 2001. The game marked the first complete nine inning shutout contest against a Southern Conference opponent since joining the league.

Western Carolina starter Jordan Smith (2-4) worked 6.2 innings and allowed two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts. Hunter Brister went two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout. Jeremy Sluder and Vance Chavis combined to work the final two-thirds of an inning without allowing a hit.

Wofford and Western Carolina will play a doubleheader on Saturday, with the first game starting at 2:00 p.m. Next Wednesday the Terriers will host USC Upstate at 6:00 p.m.