GREENVILLE, S.C. – In the opening game of the final series of the regular season, the Wofford College baseball team was defeated 2-0 by Furman at Latham Field. The Paladins scored twice in the fourth inning and held the Terriers to only three hits in the contest.
 
Wofford is 29-25 overall and 11-11 in the Southern Conference. Furman is 26-27 on the season and 13-9 in the league. The Terriers left seven runners on base as they were shutout for the fifth time this season. Brett Hash had two hits, while Derek Hirsch had one for Wofford. Matt Milburn threw a complete game for the Terriers with eight strikeouts and five hits allowed. The Paladins were led by Jabari Richards and Jake Crawford with two hits each.
 
In the first inning, Wofford was retired in order and Furman stranded one runner after a single. After both teams went in order in the second frame, the Terriers went 1-2-3 in the top of the third. The Paladins had a double with two outs in the bottom of the third, but a strikeout ended the inning.
 
Derek Hirsch had the first hit of the game for the Terriers with one out in the top of the fourth. Brett Hash added a single, but Wofford left both runners in scoring position. The Paladins led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. A double by Sky Overton scored one run and after advancing to third on the throw, he was awarded home on a throwing error for a 2-0 lead.  
 
Max McDougald led off the fifth inning with a walk. After a strikeout, Kody Ruedisili reached on a fielder's choice. He stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, but a ground out ended the scoring chance. The Paladins had a single with two outs in the bottom of the fifth before a fly ball closed out the inning. Derek Hirsch walked with one out in the top of the sixth inning and a single by Brett Hash gave Wofford runners on the corners. A walk to McClain Bradley had the bases loaded with one out, but a double play ended the top half of the sixth.
 
The Paladins were retired in order to end the sixth inning and both teams went in order in the seventh and eighth innings. With one out in the top of the ninth, McClain Bradley walked. A strikeout was followed by Max McDougald reaching on an error. A line-out to the pitcher ended the game.
 
Wofford starting pitcher Matt Milburn (6-5) threw eight innings and allowed two runs on five hits. With eight strikeouts, he is the first Wofford pitcher to reach the 300 career strikeout mark and has 302 total. He did not issue a walk in the contest.
 
Will Gaddis (9-3) started for Furman and in seven scoreless innings allowed only two hits. He retired the first ten batters he faced and had four strikeouts. Heath Hawkins worked a clean eighth inning and Jake Crawford earned his fifth save by not allowing a hit in the ninth.
 
Wofford and Furman will continue the series on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m., weather permitting. The Southern Conference Tournament begins on May 24 at Fluor Field in Greenville, however Wofford's first game will be on May 25. The Terriers are currently tied for sixth place with ETSU in the standings.