Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team defeated Alcorn State 7-4 on Friday night at Russell C. King Field. Terrier pitcher Matt Milburn pitched eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts before the Braves scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Wofford moves to 11-7 on the season and Alcorn State is 1-16 overall. The Terriers were led by Conor Clancey with two hits and two RBIs, while Alec Paradowski added two hits. The Braves had two hits and two RBIs from Joshua Powell.
The Braves had a double in the top of the first inning, but the runner was left on third base. In the bottom of the second, Eric Brenk led off with a single for the Terriers. Demetrius Jennings walked and then both runners went on a double steal. A throwing error by the Braves on the play allowed Brenk to score and Wofford had a 1-0 lead.
State left two runners on base in the top of the fourth inning. In the Wofford half of the fourth, Dylan May walked with two outs. A double to left center by Demetrius Jennings scored May for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the fifth, the Braves had a single but the runner was left on third base to end the scoring chance.
Seth Neely was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the sixth. He stole second and when Dylan May reached first on a wild pitch, a throwing error allowed Neely to score for a 3-0 lead. Demetrius Jennings walked and James Plaisted was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A single by Conor Clancey drove in two runs to make it a 5-0 game. With runners at first and third, a double steal scored Plaisted from third. Matt Ramsay was hit by a pitch and a wild pitch moved runners to second and third, but a fly ball ended the sixth inning with Wofford leading 6-0.
The Braves opened the seventh inning with a single and a double. A walk with two outs loaded the bases, but a ground ball to the pitcher ended the scoring opportunity. Alec Paradowski led off the bottom of the seventh with a double down the right line. A single to left center by Seth Neely scored Paradowski for a 7-0 advantage after seven complete.
In the top of the eighth, the Braves were retired in order. Wofford added a single in the bottom of the eighth by Conor Clancey, but he did not advance. Alcorn State loaded the bases in the top of the ninth on two singles and a strikeout/wild pitch. A two-out single by Joshua Powell to right field drove in two run for a 7-2 score. An RBI single by Cedric Bell and a bases loaded walk made it a 7-4 game. A strikeout ended the game.
Wofford pitcher Matt Milburn (2-2) went 8.2 innings and allowed four run on nine hits with nine strikeouts. Chris Sheehan walked one batter. Will Stillman struck out the final batter for his second save of the season.
Alcorn State starter Ryan Fuentes (1-3) went six innings and allowed six runs, but only one was earned. He gave up four hits and had four strikeouts. Jonathan Morales threw two innings and gave up one run on three hits with one strikeout.
Due to impending weather later in the weekend, the Terriers and Alcorn State will play a double header on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m.
