PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. – Austin Higginbotham threw a complete game shutout to lead the Wofford College baseball team to an 8-0 win over Villanova at Villanova Ballpark on Sunday. The Terriers had a 3-0 lead after eight innings and added five runs in the top of the ninth to sweep the three game weekend series against the Wildcats.  
                    
Wofford is 15-14 on the season and Villanova is 3-15 overall. The Terriers were led by Reed Massey and Max McDougald with two hits and an RBI each, while Brett Rodriguez scored three runs. The Wildcats were held to only three hits on the day.
 
Brett Rodriguez walked to start the game. With two outs, Mack Nathanson reached second base on a misplayed fly ball in centerfield and gave the Terriers a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats had a single with two outs in the bottom of the first before a strikeout ended the inning.
 
The Terriers were retired in order in the top of the second and the Wildcats had one runner reach on an error in the bottom half of the frame. Wofford went in order to begin the third inning and Villanova had a batter hit by pitch, but he was picked off to end the third. The Terriers had back-to-back singles from Reed Massey and Max McDougald with two outs in the top of the fourth, but a ground out ended the scoring chance.
 
Villanova led off the bottom of the fourth with Tyler Bruno reaching third base on a dropped fly ball. After a strikeout, a double play on a fly ball to center with Bruno thrown out at home ended the inning. Both teams had singles in the fifth inning, but were unable to score. Reed Massey singled with two outs in the top of the sixth before a fielder's choice. The Wildcats drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the sixth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A fly ball advanced the runner to third and an intentional walk gave the Wildcats runners on the corners before a foul out ended the opportunity.
 
In the top of the seventh with two outs, Brett Rodriguez walked and McClain Bradley singled. A single through the left side by Brett Hash scored Rodriguez for a 2-0 lead. A double steal moved runners to second and third, but a strikeout sent the game to the seventh inning stretch. The Wildcats went in order in to end the seventh inning.
 
With one out in the top of the eighth, Reed Massey was hit by a pitch. He stole second and third base, while Max McDougald walked to give Wofford runners on the corners. Massey scored on a wild pitch for a 3-0 advantage. The Wildcats were retired in order to end the eighth inning.
 
A walk to Brett Rodriguez started the ninth inning and he stole second. McClain Bradley walked and Mack Nathanson walked with one out to load the bases. Walks to Carson Waln and Reed Massey with the bases loaded pushed the lead to 5-0. An RBI single from Max McDougald added a run and a two-run single through the left side by Kody Ruedisili made it an 8-0 advantage. The Wildcats had a double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but a strikeout ended the game.
 
Wofford starter Austin Higginbotham (2-3) threw a complete game, allowing only three hits in nine innings. He walked two batters and struck out seven. It was his first complete game and first shutout. The last complete game shutout for the Terriers was on April 26, 2016 by Elliot Lance in a 4-0 win over Charleston Southern.
 
Ryan Doty (0-3) started for Villanova went 6.2 innings with two runs allowed on six hits and five strikeouts. Jason Applegate gave up one run with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning. John Santoianni and Andrew Owen combined to allow five runs on five walks in an inning. Zach Lutner worked the final two-thirds with two hits and a strikeout.
 
A midweek contest at Navy next Tuesday will wrap up the spring break trip before returning home to host VMI for a three-game series beginning on Friday.