SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Down five runs in the middle of the fifth inning, the Wofford College baseball team scored six unanswered runs in the final four innings to down the Virginia Military Institute 8-7 at Russell C. King Field on Saturday afternoon. The Keydets led 5-0 after two innings, but the Terriers came back and plated the winning run on an error in the bottom of the eighth inning.
 
Wofford is 20-5 on the season and 2-0 in the Southern Conference, while VMI is 4-9 overall and 0-2 in league play. Derek Hirsch had three hits and an RBI for the Terriers, while James Plaisted added a pair of hits and two RBIs. Thomas Stallings hit a grand slam for the Keydets and Matt Winn added a two-run homer.
 
The Keydets opened the game with back-to-back singles. A single with one out loaded the bases. With two outs, Thomas Stallings hit a home run to left center to clear the bases and give VMI a 4-0 lead. James Plaisted hit a two-out single for the Terriers and a single by Matt Pelt moved Plaisted to third. A strikeout ended the scoring chance for Wofford.
 
In the top of the second, two singles and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out for VMI. A sacrifice fly drove in one run, but two runners were left on base to end the top half at 5-0. Mack Nathanson hit a double, however he was stranded at third base to end the second inning. VMI was retired in order in the top of the third inning.
 
Alec Paradowski walked to begin the bottom of the third. Matt Ramsay doubled and Matt Pelt was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Conor Clancey drew a walk to plate a run for a 5-1 score and a ground out by Max McDougald drove in a run to make it a 5-2 game at the end of three innings. The Keydets stranded one runner in the top of the fourth inning. Derek Hirsch singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but was left at third base to end the inning.
 
With one runner on base and one out in the top of the fifth inning, Matt Winn hit a home run to left field to give VMI a 7-2 lead. James Plaisted led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to left center field to cut the lead to 7-3. Matt Pelt walked and stole second, but was left at third to end the fifth inning.
 
The Keydets left one runner on base in the top of the sixth inning. Kody Ruedisili was hit by a pitch and Derek Hirsch singled to start the bottom of the sixth. A walk to Matt Ramsay loaded the bases with one out. A wild pitch allowed the runners to advance and a ground out by James Plaisted cut the lead to 7-5.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Keydets led off with back-to-back singles. A line drive into a double play and a runner picked off first base ended the top half. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Max McDougald singled. A double down the left line by Carson Waln drove in McDougald and Waln moved to third on an error. A single with two outs by Derek Hirsch scored Waln to tie the game at 7-7.
 
Thomas Stallings was hit by a pitch to lead off the eighth inning for VMI. A bunt moved the runner to second, but a strikeout and ground ball back to the pitcher ended the top half. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Matt Pelt walked. He stole second and on the play the throw from the catcher went into the outfield, allowing Pelt to score. Wofford had an 8-7 lead headed to the ninth inning. The Keydets had a single with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the game.
 
Wofford starting pitcher Luke Leftwich went five innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits. He struck out seven batters with three walks. Elliot Lance threw two innings and did not allow a run on three hits. Jacob Condra-Bogan (1-0) earned his first win of the season by not allowing a hit in the eighth inning and striking out one. Will Stillman picked up his eighth save of the year with one hit allowed in the ninth inning.
 
Austin Heenan started for VMI and gave up three runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked three batters. Jack Gomersall worked 1.2 innings with four runs allowed on four hits and a walk. Matthew Eagle (0-1) went the final 1.1 innings with one run allowed on a walk.
 
The Terriers are the fourth team in the nation to reach the 20-win mark (Texas A&M 23, Florida Atlantic 20, LSU 20, Wofford 20). Wofford will conclude the weekend series against VMI on Sunday at noon at Russell C. King Field.