Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team started the weekend with a 5-3 win over Fordham on Friday night at Russell C. King Field. Leading by one in the bottom of the seventh, Eric Brenk had a two-run double and Eric Eck struck out three batters in the final two innings to secure the win for the Terriers.
Wofford moves to 2-3 on the season and Fordham is 0-1. The Terriers were led by Derek Hirsch with three hits and Eric Brenk with two RBIs. Matthew Milburn had a career-high nine strikeouts for the win. The Rams had three hits and two RBIs by Ryan McNally.
Fordham and Wofford both had two runners reach base in the first inning, but neither team scored. The Rams scored the first run of the game on an RBI single up the middle by Ryan McNally for a 1-0 lead in the second inning. In the bottom of the third, Derek Hirsch singled and moved to second on a bunt. A single by Josh Hyman scored Hirsch for a 1-1 game. Hyman stole second and moved to third on a passed ball, but was out at home on an attempt to score on a wild pitch.
In the top of the fourth, the Rams left two runners on base. In the bottom half of the inning, Matt Ramsay doubled and Demetrius Jennings singled. Matt Ramsay scored while Jennings was in a rundown between first and second to give Wofford a 2-1 lead. Derek Hirsch led off the bottom of the fifth with a single. A single by Josh Hyman moved Hirsch to third with one out. Hirsch scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 lead. The bases were loaded after two walks, but a ground out ended the inning.
The Rams had back-to-back doubles with two outs in the top of the seventh to make it a 3-2 game. In the bottom of the seventh, Alec Paradowski led off with a hit by pitch and Seth Neely walked. A sacrifice bunt moved them into scoring position and a double down the left field line by Eric Brenk scored both runners for a 5-2 lead.
Eric Eck struck out three straight Fordham batters in the top of the eighth inning. Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the eighth. In the top of the ninth, the Rams had two hits and scored an unearned run to make it 5-3 before the final out was recorded.
Wofford pitcher Matthew Milburn (1-0) worked 6.2 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits with a career-high nine strikeouts. Merritt Huber went a third of an inning without allowing a base runner. Eric Eck picked up his second save of the season by going two innings with two hits allowed and three strikeouts. He now has 19 career saves, which is tied for the school record with Michael Gilmartin (2007-09).
Fordham starter Brett Kennedy (0-1) went 4.2 innings with three runs allowed on six hits and three strikeouts. Jonathan Reich threw 1.1 innings and allowed one hit. Cody Johnson was on the mound for an inning and allowed two runs on two hits with one strikeout. Greg Weissert threw the eighth and struck out two.
The Terriers will host Butler on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Presbyterian College on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. to complete the weekend.
