Box Score Game Box (pdf)SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team picked up a 4-3 win over Appalachian State at Russell C. King Field on Sunday afternoon. The Terriers took a 2-1 lead on a solo home run by Seth Neely in the third inning and held off a late rally by the Mountaineers for the win.
Wofford is 18-14 on the season and 2-7 in the Southern Conference. Appalachian State is 11-18 overall and 5-3 in the league. The Terriers were led by Seth Neely with two hits and two RBIs, while Josh Hyman had two RBIs. Preston Troutman led the Mountaineers with two hits and an RBI. Appalachian State had a 12 to 7 lead in hits, but left 12 runners on base.
The Mountaineers had two singles in the top of the first inning, but both were left on base. Alec Paradowski hit a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. A single by Seth Neely to left field scored Paradowski for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the second, Matt Brill doubled and scored on a single by William Head. A double play ended the inning for the Mountaineers with the game tied at 1-1. Wofford left one runner on base in the bottom of the second and Appalachian State stranded one in the top of the third inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the third, Seth Neely cleared the wall in left field for a 2-1 lead. It was his fourth home run of the season. Both teams were retired in order in the fourth inning. Appalachian State had a single in the top of the fifth, but the runner was left one base. Matt Pelt led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A single by Josh Hyman scored Pelt to give Wofford a 3-1 advantage.
In the top of the sixth, the Mountaineers had runners on the corners after two singles but a fly ball ended the scoring chance. The Terriers were retired in order in the bottom of the sixth. Appalachian State opened the top of the seventh with back-to-back singles. An RBI single from Preston Troutman made it a 3-2 game, but the Mountaineers stranded two runners.
Wofford led off the bottom of the seventh with a single by Matt Ramsay. He stole second and third base while Derek Hirsch walked and stole second. A sacrifice fly by Josh Hyman scored Ramsay for a 4-2 lead. In the top of the eighth, The Mountaineers had two runners reach on walks, but were left on base. Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the eighth.
Appalachian State opened the top of the ninth with a single and a walk. A wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position. Michael Pierson reached on a fielder's choice, with the runner thrown out at home. A fielder's choice by Tyler Zupcic drove in a run for a 4-3 game with two outs. Dillon Dobson grounded out to end the game.
Wofford pitcher Jesse Morris (6-3) threw six innings and allowed two runs on ten hits with three strikeouts. Will Stillman allowed one hit with one strikeout in 1.2 innings. Eric Eck earned his seventh save of the season by going 1.1 innings and allowing one run on one hit.
Appalachian State starter Jeffrey Springs (1-1) went 6.1 innings with three runs allowed on seven hits and six strikeouts. Taylor Thurber threw the final 1.2 innings and did not allow a hit with two strikeouts.
Next week Wofford will visit Old Dominion for a pair of games on Tuesday and Wednesday before returning home to host Elon.
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