Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team earned a 7-6 win over Gardner-Webb on Wednesday night at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead and held on for the victory.
Wofford is 1-3 and Gardner-Webb is 1-3. The Terriers were led by Eric Brenk with three hits and two RBIs, while Kody Ruedisili had two hits and three RBIs in his first career game. The Runnin' Bulldogs had three hits and three RBIs from Scott Johnson.
The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the game with a double and a single. A sacrifice fly by Scott Coleman made it a 1-0 game. Wofford had singles from Alec Paradowski and James Plaisted in the bottom of the first. A two-out double by Eric Brenk to the leftfield wall scored both runners for a 2-1 lead. An RBI single by Matt Ramsay made it a 3-1 game.
In the top of the second an RBI double by Blair Huggins got one run back. A double by Scott Johnson drove in two runs to give Gardner-Webb a 4-3 lead. Kody Ruedisili had a single in his first career at bat in the bottom of the second, but he was stranded at the end of the inning. The Runnin' Bulldogs loaded the bases in the top of the third, but a strikeout ended the scoring chance.
Wofford opened the bottom of the third with a walk to Seth Neely and an infield single by James Plaisted. A single by Eric Brenk loaded the bases. With two outs, a walk by Derek Hirsch tied the game at 4-4. Kody Ruedisili hit a ball to right field and moved to second on an error as three runs scored for a 7-4 lead.
Gardner-Webb scored one run in the top of the fourth inning to make it a 7-5 game. Wofford loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning on a single and two walks, but a fielder's choice ended the inning. Scott Johnson hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth to cut the lead to 7-6.
The Terriers had two runners reach base on balls in the bottom of the sixth, but both were stranded. Neither team was able to add runs in the seventh or eighth innings. Eric Eck entered the game in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order.
Wofford pitcher John Caskey threw two innings and allowed four runs on five hits with two strikeouts in his first career start. Quintin Pile went two innings with one run allowed on two hits and two strikeouts. Jesse Morris (1-0) threw four innings with one run on two hits and three strikeouts. Eric Eck pitched the ninth and earned the save.
Gardner-Webb starter Brad Haymes (0-2) went three innings and gave up seven runs on eight hits, along with six strikeouts. Beau Hilton threw three innings and gave up one hit with one strikeout. Mitch Warner was on the mound for the final two innings and did not allow a hit with one strikeout.
The Terriers will host Fordham on Friday at 5:00 p.m., followed by Butler on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., and Presbyterian College on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
