SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team was defeated 7-6 by UNC Asheville on Sunday afternoon at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers had a 6-2 lead heading into the eighth inning, but the Bulldogs scored five unanswered runs on two hits to secure the win.
 
Wofford is 2-5 on the season, while UNC Asheville is 3-4. The Terriers were led by Reed Massey with three hits and Carson Waln with a three-run homer. Brandon Lankford had two hits for the Bulldogs, which included a two-run homer.
 
The Bulldogs were retired in order in the top of the first inning. With one out in the bottom of the first, Reed Massey and Brett Hash singled. A home run to left center by Carson Waln made it a 3-0 game. It was the first career home run by Waln. After UNCA went in order to begin the second inning, Alex Malsch reached on a strikeout/wild pitch and Mack Nathanson singled. They advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. A sacrifice fly plated a run and a bunt single from Reed Massey added a run for a 5-0 lead.
 
In the top of the third inning, the Bulldogs led off with a double and single. A single with one out drove in a run to make it 5-1. Wofford was retired in order to end the third inning. Two singles were followed by a two out double down the right field line to add a run for a 5-2 score, but two runners were left on base. The Terriers went down in order to end the fourth inning and the Bulldogs were 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth inning.
 
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Kody Ruedisili walked and Reed Massey singled. Ruedisili moved to third on a failed pick off and a double steal allowed Ruedisili to score for a 6-2 advantage. The Terriers turned a double play to end the top of the sixth inning. Wofford went down in order in the bottom of the sixth.
 
UNCA left two runners on base in the top of the seventh frame and Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the seventh. The Bulldogs led off the eighth with a walk and then Brandon Lankford hit a home run to left center to cut the lead to 6-4. A single and two walks loaded the bases with two outs. A walk plated a run to make it 6-5. A strikeout left the bases loaded. Wofford was then retired in order to end the eighth inning.
 
In the top of the ninth, two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly plated the tying run. Another walk kept the bases loaded with two outs. A hit by pitch drove in a run to give the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead. A fly ball finally ended the top of the ninth. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Ty Reginelli singled. Andrew Orzel came in to pinch run, but was thrown out attempting to steal second. A strikeout ended the game.
 
Wofford starting pitcher Austin Higginbotham went 6.2 innings and gave up two runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Matt Ellmyer faced one batter and recorded one out. Jake Hershman gave up two runs on one hit. Jordan Accetta threw an inning with one run allowed on one hit and he had one strikeout. Grant Byers (0-1) allowed two runs in a third of an inning. Elliot Lance did not allow a hit in two-thirds of an inning. Chris Sheehan recorded the final out.
 
Spencer Orr started for the Bulldogs and went seven innings with six runs allowed on six hits along with six strikeouts. Justin Woods (1-0) threw the final two innings and allowed one hit with two strikeouts.
 
Wofford will travel to Clemson on Tuesday afternoon for a 4:00 p.m. contest. The Terriers return to Russell C. King Field on Friday at 5:00 p.m. against Pittsburgh.