MACON, Ga. – The Wofford College baseball team defeated Mercer 7-5 on Saturday afternoon at Claude Smith Field to complete the weekend series. The Terriers scored five runs in the third inning and added a run in the fifth before the Bears answered with five runs in the sixth inning. Wofford added a run in the seventh and Will Stillman closed the game by holding Mercer scoreless in the final two innings.
 
Wofford is 16-9 on the season and 1-2 in league play. Mercer is 15-9 overall and 2-1 in the SoCon. The Terriers were led by McClain Bradley with three hits and four RBIs, while Max McDougald added a pair of hits. Hunter Bening led the Bears with two hits and four RBIs.
 
The Terriers were retired in order in the top of the first inning. The lead-off batter for the Bears struck out, but took first on a wild pitch and moved to second on a passed ball. Two strikeouts and a caught stealing ended the first inning. Wofford stranded one runner in the top of the second after walk. Mercer had a single in the bottom of the second, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.
 
Wofford began the third inning with a walk by Kody Ruedisili and bunt singles by Derek Hirsch and Alec Paradowski to load the bases. A single to right center by Max McDougald gave the Terriers a 1-0 lead and a double to left center by McClain Bradley drove in two runs for a 3-0 game. A wild pitch scored McDougald and moved Bradley to third base. With one out, a ground out by Carson Waln added a run for a 5-0 score before a pop fly ended the top half of the third.
 
Mercer added a single with two outs in the bottom of the third. A strikeout of Kyle Lewis ended the third inning. Wofford was retired in order in the top of the fourth inning and Mercer led off the bottom half with a single. Three straight outs left the runner at first base to end the fourth inning.
 
With one out in the top of the fifth inning, Max McDougald singled through the right side. A double to right center by McClain Bradley, his second of the day, scored McDougald for a 6-0 lead. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the top of the fifth. The Bears were retired in order, with the third out a leaping grab of a line drive by shortstop Derek Hirsch.
 
In the top of the sixth inning, Wofford was retired in order. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Kyle Lewis hit a solo home run to right field for a 6-1 score. Ben Upton followed with a double, while a walk and a single loaded the bases. A grand slam by Hunter Bening that hit the batter's eye in center field made it a 6-5 game. The Bears added a single, but a fly ball and ground ball ended the sixth inning.
 
Derek Hirsch led off the top of the seventh with a walk and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, a single to right field by McClain Bradley drove in Hirsch for a 7-5 score. Bradley stole his 15^th base of the season as he moved to second base, but a fly ball sent the game to the seventh inning stretch. The Bears led off their half of the seventh with a single, but a strikeout and double play ended the seventh.
 
In the top of the eighth, Chandler Engel walked with one out and Demetrius Jennings added a single. The runners advanced on a wild pitch, but back-to-back strikeouts left both stranded in scoring position. Mercer opened the bottom of the eighth with a walk and added a single with one out. Back-to-back strikeouts swinging sent the game to the ninth inning. Wofford was retired in order in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, a strikeout and a fly ball brought Kyle Lewis to the plate. A strikeout ended the game.
 
Wofford starting pitcher Jacob Condra-Bogan (3-1) threw 5.1 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, while striking out seven batters. Elliot Lance worked 1.2 innings with two hits allowed and a strikeout. Will Stillman went the final two innings with one hit allowed and one walk. He had four strikeouts to earn his seventh save of the season.
 
Kevin Coulter (3-1) started for Mercer and went five innings with six runs allowed on six hits, along with six strikeouts. Kyle Bialousz worked an inning and did not allow a hit. Austin Cox had one out and walked one batter. Nick Spear added 1.2 innings with two hits and three strikeouts. Austin Lord went the final inning with one strikeout.
 
Wofford will host Presbyterian College on Tuesday, March 29, before a home series against Western Carolina begins on Friday night.