TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A late rally by the Wofford College baseball team came up short and the Terriers were defeated 8-7 by Florida A&M on Sunday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field. The Rattlers used a four-run fifth inning on the way to an 8-2 lead before the Terriers battled back and scored five runs in the top of the ninth.
 
Wofford begins the season 1-2 and Florida A&M is 2-1 with the series win. The Terriers were led by Alex Malsch with two hits and two runs scored, while Carson Waln drove in three runs, including two in the ninth inning. The Rattlers were led by Brian Davis with three hits and Dallas Oliver with three RBIs.
 
Kody Ruedisili walked to open the game, but was caught stealing second. The Rattlers left one runner on base to end the first inning. Ty Reginelli singled with one out in the top of the second, but was unable to advance. In the bottom of the second, Florida A&M got on the board with an RBI ground out for a 1-0 lead.
 
Wofford answered in the top of the third inning when Alex Malsch led off with a single and Kody Ruedisili walked. A ground out advanced the runners and then Brett Hash reached on a strike out/wild pitch that scored Malsch. With Ruedisili on third, a fielder's choice by Carson Waln made it a 2-1 lead for the Terriers. The Rattlers left two runners on base in the bottom of the third and Wofford stranded one in the top of the fourth. Florida A&M was retired in order to end the fourth inning.
 
The Terriers left one runner on base in the top of the fifth after a Brett Hash single. In the bottom of the fifth, the Rattlers pushed across four runs on five hits, including a three RBI double with two outs by Dallas Oliver to make it a 5-2 game. Wofford stranded one runner in the top of the sixth. After the bottom of the sixth began with back-to-back walks and a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners, a sacrifice fly plated a run for a 6-2 score.
 
In the top of the seventh, Wofford was retired in order. The Rattlers added a pair of runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh to push the advantage to 8-2. The Terriers were retired in order again in the top of the eighth and the Rattlers left one on base to end the eighth.
 
With one out in the top of the ninth, Reed Massey reached on an error and Alex Malsch and Kody Ruedisili singled to load the bases. A single by Max McDougald drove in Massey for an 8-3 score. With two outs, Carson Waln singled and plated a pair of runs. Ty Reginalli then reached on a throwing error that enabled Waln and McDouglad to score and cut the lead to 8-7. A fly ball ended the game.  
 
Wofford starting pitcher Austin Higginbotham (0-1) went 4.2 innings with five runs allowed on eight hits and one strikeout. Chris Sheehan allowed one hit in a third of an inning. Merritt Huber worked two innings with two runs allowed on four hits. Reece Maniscalco made his first career appearance and had one strike out and did not allow a hit in one inning.
 
Aubrey McCarty (1-0) started for the Rattlers and went five innings with two runs allowed on three hits and a strikeout. Thomas Nicoll did not allow a hit in three innings and had one strikeout. Hunter Fillinghim gave up five unearned runs on four hits in an inning.
 
The Terriers will play Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Presbyterian College. The home slate begins next Friday at 5:00 p.m. against James Madison at Russell C. King Field, followed by contests against Georgetown and UNC Asheville.