SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team defeated Samford 5-2 at Russell C. King Field on Saturday afternoon to even the weekend series. The Terriers scored three runs in the first inning and added runs in the fifth and eighth inning to earn the victory.
 
Wofford is 29-15 overall and 7-6 in the Southern Conference. Samford is 23-18 overall, with a 10-4 mark in conference play to sit in first place. The Terriers were led by Conor Clancey with two hits and three RBIs, while James Plaisted had two hits and a pair of RBIs. Samford was led by Alex Lee with two hits and an RBI. With the loss, the Bulldogs saw a nine-game winning streak come to an end.
 
The Bulldogs were retired in order in the top of the first inning. Alec Paradowski walked and Matt Ramsay was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the first. A single by James Plaisted plated a run and then a single to center field by Conor Clancey pushed across two more runs for a 3-0 lead.
 
In the top of the second with one out, Samford had a double and a single for runners on the corners. A strikeout and fielder's choice ended the scoring chance for the Bulldogs. Wofford was retired in order to end the second inning and Samford went down in order to start the third inning.
 
Wofford led off the bottom of the third with a double by Matt Ramsay, but he was unable to advance. Samford opened the fourth inning with a hit by pitch and the runner moved to second on a wild pitch. He was stranded at third base to end the top of the fourth. The Terriers were retired in order in the bottom of the fourth inning and the Bulldogs went 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Matt Ramsay walked. A double down the left line by James Plaisted scored Ramsay for a 4-0 advantage. Samford drew a lead-off walk in the top of the sixth inning and they added a single with one out. With two outs, Alex Lee hit a single to centerfield to drive in a run for a 4-1 score. The Bulldogs left runners on the corners to end the top half of the sixth.
 
Carson Waln singled to open the Wofford half of the sixth inning. He stole second and reached third on an error, but a strikeout and ground ball ended the scoring chance. Samford was retired in order in the top of the seventh. Wofford led off the bottom of the seventh with a single by Derek Hirsch, but a double play cleared the bases. Matt Ramsay added a single before the inning ended.
 
Samford got a run back in the top of the eighth when Hunter Swilling hit a home run to left field to make it a 4-2 game. The Bulldogs hit a single, but a pop up and fly ball ended the top half. In the bottom of the eight, Conor Clancey led off with a solo home run to left center to give Wofford a 5-2 lead. Carson Waln walked, moved to second on a failed pickoff attempt, and took third on a sacrifice bunt. A pair of strikeouts ended the eighth inning. Samford led off the bottom of the ninth with an infield single, but a strikeout and a pair of ground outs ended the game.
 
Wofford starting pitcher Luke Leftwich (4-2) threw six innings and allowed only one run on four hits. He struck out five batters and walked one. Jacob Condra-Bogan went one and a third with one run given up on two hits, along with two strikeouts. Will Stillman threw the final one and a third to earn his 12^th save of the season. He gave up one hit and had a strikeout as he tied the school record for saves in a season with Eric Eck (12 in 2014).
 
Jared Brasher (3-3) started for Samford and went two innings with three runs allowed on two hits, along with three strikeouts. Phillip Flach threw 2.2 innings with one run allowed on two hits. Wyatt Burns did not allow a run on three hits in 2.1 innings, while Michael Belcher recorded the final three outs with one run allowed on a hit and two strikeouts.
 
Wofford will conclude the series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Terriers will then travel to UNCG for a weekend series beginning on Friday, May 1.