SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team needed some late scoring to take a 9-6 win over N.C. Central on Saturday afternoon at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers were down 6-5 after the sixth inning, but rallied with two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings to claim the victory.
 
Wofford is 22-7 on the season, while N.C. Central is 11-14 overall. The Terriers had two hits each from Alec Paradowski and Conor Clancey, with Clancey driving in three runs. The Eagles had nine hits in the game, including a pair of home runs in the fifth inning to claim a lead.
 
The Eagles were retired in order in the top of the first inning. Matt Ramsay singled and James Plaisted doubled in the bottom of the first. A sacrifice fly by Matt Pelt made it a 1-0 game after the first inning. In the top of the second, N.C. Central stranded runners on the corners.
 
Kody Ruedisili was hit by a pitch with two out in the bottom of the second. Derek Hirsch put down a bunt and he was safe at home and on a throwing error he moved to second and Ruedisili was able to score to give Wofford a 2-0 lead. The Eagles left a pair of runners on base in the top of the third inning.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the third, James Plaisted reached on an error. Conor Clancey then belted a ball over the fence in left center for a 4-0 advantage. In the top of the fourth, the Eagles had one runner on base with two outs when back-to-back singles plated a run. A triple by Eric Kimber drove in two more runs to make it a 4-3 game in the middle of the fourth inning.
 
Cody Miller led off the bottom of the fourth with a triple and Kody Ruedisili reached on an error. A sacrifice bunt by Derek Hirsch scored Miller for a 5-3 score. Alec Paradowski added a single and a walk to Matt Ramsay loaded the bases with one out. A strikeout and fly ball ended the fourth inning with three runners stranded.
 
The Eagles started the fifth inning with a solo home run to center field by Carlos Ortiz. With one runner on base and two outs, Mitchell McCrary cleared the fence in center field and gave the Eagles a 6-5 lead. Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the fifth and the Eagles went 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth inning. Alec Paradowski had a two-out double for Wofford in the bottom of the sixth, but failed to advance.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Eagles had one hit. Wofford had a double by Matt Pelt in the bottom of the seventh with one out. Conor Clancey followed with a double to center field to drive in Pelt and tie the game at 6-6. Carson Waln hit a pinch hit single that scored Clancey to regain the lead to 7-6.
 
With two outs in the top of the eighth, the Eagles had a single. A strikeout ended the top half of the inning. Wofford opened the bottom of the eighth with a walk by Derek Hirsch. Alec Paradowski hit a fielder's choice and Hirsch was safe on the play due to an error. The runners advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice by James Plaisted drove in one run. Matt Pelt added a sacrifice bunt to plate a run and Wofford had a 9-6 lead. Two runners were left on base at the end of the eighth inning.  
 
Back-to-back walks started the top of the ninth for the Eagles. Will Stillman struck out three straight batters to end the game and earn his ninth save of the season.  
 
Wofford starting pitcher Luke Leftwich went five innings and gave up six runs on seven hits. He struck out six batters and walked four. Elliot Lance (2-0) worked 2.2 innings with two hits allowed and three strikeouts. Jacob Condra-Bogan struck out the lone batter he faced. Will Stillman struck out three and walked two in the ninth for the save.
 
Alex Dandridge started for N.C. Central and threw six innings with five runs allowed on seven hits. Kyle Shields (1-3) went an inning with two runs allowed on three hits. Jonathan Figueroa added an inning with two unearned runs allowed.
 
Wofford will conclude the three-game weekend series with N.C. Central at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers will travel to defending national champion Vanderbilt on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.