SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the first game of a four game weekend series, the Wofford College baseball team defeated Harvard 9-2 at Russell C. King Field. With the game tied at 1-1, the Terriers scored five runs in the third inning and added three runs in the fifth inning for the victory.
 
Wofford is 8-1 on the season, while Harvard is 0-1. Despite being outhit in the contest by Harvard, Wofford allowed only two runs. The Terriers were led by Kody Ruedisili with three hits, while Alec Paradowski drove in a pair of runs. The Crimson had eleven hits in the game, including three each by Mike Martin and Drew Reid.
 
The Crimson had a walk and a pair of singles in the top of the first, but two runners were picked off first base. A runner was stranded at third base to end the scoring chance. Wofford was struck out in order in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second, Mitch Klug was hit by a pitch and with one out Matt Hink hit a double to right center to drive in a run for a 1-0 lead.
 
Wofford opened the bottom of the second with Mack Nathanson being hit by a pitch and Carson Waln walking. With runners at first and third, a double steal resulted in Nathanson scoring to tie the game at 1-1. Harvard started the top of the third with a single and a double, but both runners were stranded in scoring position.
 
Alec Paradowski was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the third. A single by Matt Ramsay and bunt single by James Plaisted loaded the bases. Mack Nathanson reached on a fielder's choice and a throwing error on the play allowed two runs to score. A sacrifice fly by Carson Waln plated another run for a 4-1 lead. Matt Pelt added a single and a balk scored a run for a 5-1 advantage. Pelt moved to third on a passed ball and he scored on an error to give Wofford a 6-1 lead after three innings.
 
Harvard had a single to lead off the fourth, but a strikeout and two fly balls ended the top half. James Plaisted had a double in the bottom of the fourth and he stole third, but was left on base to end the inning. The Crimson was retired in order in the top of the fifth inning.
 
In the bottom of the fifth with two outs, Conor Clancey doubled to left centerfield. A single by Kody Ruedisili drove in Clancey for a 7-1 advantage. Derek Hirsch added a single and a double to left field by Alec Paradowski pushed two runners across home plate for a 9-1 lead.
 
The Crimson opened the top of the sixth with a double by Ethan Ferreira. D.J. Link walked with one out, but both runners were left on base. James Plaisted walked in the bottom of the sixth, but the pinch runner was caught stealing second.
 
With one out in the top of the seventh, the Crimson had back-to-back singles, which coupled with an error allowed a run to cross the plate for a 9-2 score. Two Harvard runners were left on base to head to the seventh inning stretch.
 
Wofford led off the bottom of the seventh with Matt Pelt being hit by a pitch. Kody Ruedisili added a single, but both runners were left on base to end the inning. Harvard was retired in order in the top of the eighth inning and Wofford went down in order in the bottom of the eighth. In the top of the ninth, Harvard had a double with one out. A pair of ground outs ended the game.
 
Wofford pitcher Matt Milburn (2-0) threw six innings and allowed one run on seven hits with six strikeouts.  Elliot Lance worked two innings and gave up one run on three hits. Merritt Huber threw the ninth inning and allowed one hit.
 
Sean Poppen (0-1) started for Harvard and went 4.2 innings with eight runs allowed, six of them earned. He gave up seven hits and walked two with four strikeouts. Ian Miller threw 1.1 innings with one run allowed on two hits. Dylan Combs added an inning on the mound with one hit and two strikeouts. T.J. Laurisch went an inning and did not allow a hit with one strikeout.
 
Wofford continue the series against Harvard on Saturday at noon at Russell C. King Field. On Saturday, the teams will play a pair of nine inning contests. The series will end with the fourth game on Sunday at noon.