SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the Southern Conference opener on Friday night, the Wofford College baseball team defeated the Virginia Military Institute 5-2 at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers had a one run lead after four innings and added two runs in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory.
 
Wofford is 19-5 on the season, while VMI is 4-9 overall. It was the first SoCon game of the season for both teams. Freshman Max McDougald led the Terriers with three RBIs on two hits, including a double in the eighth inning. Matt Milburn and Will Stillman combined to strikeout nine batters. The Keydets were held to only three hits on the night, one of which was a solo home run by Matt Winn.
 
The Keydets left one runner on base in the top of the first inning. Matt Ramsay singled for the Terriers, but he was caught stealing to end the first inning. Matt Winn led off the second inning with a solo home run to left center field to give VMI a 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the second, Matt Pelt walked and stole second base. He moved to third on a wild pitch and with two outs Conor Clancey walked. Max McDougald put down a bunt single that scored Pelt to tie the game at 1-1. Both teams stranded a runner at second base in the third inning.
 
Ray Lopez walked to start the top of the fourth inning. He stole second base, stole third base, and scored on a wild pitch for a 2-1 lead. With two runners on base, a double play ended the top half. Wofford opened the bottom of the fourth with singles from Carson Waln and Kody Ruedisili. A walk to Max McDougald with one out loaded the bases. A single to right field by Derek Hirsch drove in two runs for a 3-2 advantage.
 
VMI was retired in order in the top of the fifth inning and Matt Ramsay was caught stealing to end the bottom of the fifth. The Keydets stranded one in the top of the sixth inning and Wofford left a runner at second in the bottom of the sixth inning. After VMI was retired in order in the top of the seventh, Alec Paradowski singled and Matt Ramsay was hit by a pitch. A walk to James Plaisted with one out loaded the bases. A strikeout and ground ball ended the scoring chance for the Terriers.
 
To lead off the eighth, David Geary walked but was out on a fielder's choice. The runner at first was picked off for the second out, but Tyler Tharp doubled. A walk and wild pitch gave the Keydets runners at the corners, but a strikeout ended the top of the eighth. Kody Ruedisili reached on an error to start the bottom of the eighth. A double by Conor Clancey put runners in scoring position and a double down the left line by Max McDougald drove in both for a 5-2 lead. In the top of the ninth, the Keydets had a runner on base after a walk, but a pair of strikeouts ended the game.
 
Wofford starting pitcher Matt Milburn (5-0) threw 7.2 innings and gave up two runs on three hits. He struck out five batters and walked four. Will Stillman earned his seventh save of the season by going 1.1 innings without allowing a hit and four strikeouts.
 
Jared Silva (1-1) started for VMI and went six innings with three runs allowed on seven hits. He walked three batters and struck out two. Taylor Edens threw the final two innings with two runs allowed on three hits, along with one strikeout.
 
The Terriers will continue the weekend series against VMI on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Russell C. King Field.