Box Score Box Score (pdf)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team was defeated 6-4 in ten innings by Ball State on Sunday afternoon at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the game was tied at four after five innings. With two out in the top of the tenth inning, Ball State scored twice to earn the win. 

Wofford is 0-2 and Ball State is 3-0. The Terriers were led by James Plaisted with two hits and two RBIs, while Seth Neely had two hits and an RBI. Ball State had two hits and four RBIs from Kyle Raleigh. 

Ball State was retired in order in the top of the first. On the first pitch to Josh Hyman, he cleared the fence in left field. Alec Paradowski singled and he was driven home on a double to right field by Seth Neely for a 2-0 lead after one inning. The Cardinals left one runner on base in the second and third innings. In the top of the fourth inning, Kyle Raleigh hit a two-run homer just inside the right field foul pole to tie the game at 2-2.

In the bottom of the fourth, Seth Neely and Eric Brenk singled. They advanced into scoring position on a throwing error. A single through the left side by James Plaisted brought both runners home for a 4-2 lead. Carson Waln added a single for his first career hit, but the Terriers left two on base to end the fourth.

The Cardinals loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fifth. A single up the middle by Kyle Raleigh drove in two runs to tie the game at four. Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the fifth. Ball State had three runners reach base in the top of the sixth, but two were picked off and they did not score. The Terriers left two runners on base in the bottom of the sixth and Ball State went in order in the top of the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, Demetrius Jennings led off with a single and Seth Neely walked, but both were left on base. Ball State stranded two runners in the top of the eighth. In the Wofford half of the eighth, Eric Brenk was hit by pitch, stole second, and move to third on a fly ball. After a walk by Matt Ramsay, Brenk was out at home on a bunt attempt.

The teams headed to the ninth tied at four. The Cardinals were retired in order in the top of the ninth. Josh Hyman led off with a walk for Wofford and he moved to second on a bunt, but could not advance any further.

In the top of the tenth, Ball State had runners at first and second when a single up the middle by Ryan Spaulding drove in a run for a 5-4 lead. With the bases loaded, an RBI single to third base by Alex Call made it 6-4. Wofford had one base runner in the bottom of the tenth after Matt Ramsay was hit by a pitch, but he was left on base when the final out was recorded.

Wofford pitcher Luke Leftwich worked 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Quintin Pile threw 1.1 innings with one hit allowed. John Caskey went an inning and did not allow a hit. Eric Eck (0-1) was on the mound for three innings and allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts. 

Ball State starter T.J. Weir went 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Kyle Raleigh threw 1.1 innings with two hits allowed and a strikeout. Zach Plesac (2-0) earned the win with 2.1 innings and two strikeouts while not allowing a hit. Chris Lovejoy recorded his first save of the season by not allowing a hit in the tenth inning.

The Terriers will host Morehead State on Monday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. and Gardner-Webb on Wednesday evening as the seven-game home stand to begin the season continues.