SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team needed eleven innings to come away with a 6-5 win over Western Carolina on Thursday night at Russell C. King Field. The Catamounts took a 5-0 lead into the seventh inning stretch, but the Terriers tied the game with five runs in the bottom of the seventh. After a scoreless eighth, ninth and tenth innings, Wofford had two runners in scoring position with one out when a single by McClain Bradley drove in the winning run.

Wofford is now 18-9 on the season and 2- 2 in the Southern Conference. Western Carolina is 3-21 overall and 1-3 in the league. It was the first extra inning game of the season for Wofford. The Terriers were led by McClain Bradley with two hits and two RBIs, while Mack Nathanson added two hits. Justice Bigbie had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Catamounts.

Through the first four innings, both teams had three hits and there was no score. In the top of the fifth, the Catamounts had a runner reach second base on a fielding error. A single through the right side scored the runner for a 1-0 lead for Western Carolina.

Wofford led off the bottom of the fifth with a single by Alec Cargin and then Alex Malsch beat out a throw to first on a sacrifice bunt. After a fielder's choice by Colin Davis had the lead runner out a third base, a fly ball advanced Malsch to third base. Davis stole second base, but a strikeout ended the inning with both runners left in scoring position.

The Catamounts opened the top of the sixth with a hit by pitch. The runner stole second and a single gave Western Carolina runners on the corners. An RBI single made it a 2-0 lead and a bunt single loaded the bases. A fielder's choice plated a run for a 3-0 advantage before a strikeout ended the top half.

Cody Miller walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. After a fly ball, Brett Rodriguez reached on a fielder's choice. He stole second base and moved to third on a balk. A walk to Max McDougald gave Wofford runners on the corners with two outs. McDougald stole second base, but a strikeout left both runners stranded in scoring position.

In the top of the seventh, Western Carolina had a double and a walk. After a sacrifice bunt, a double down the right line drove in both runners for a 5-0 lead. Two strikeouts ended the Catamount half of the seventh. Alex Malsch walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh. With one outs, McClain Bradley hit a double to right center to score Malsch to make it a 5-1 game. A double by Mack Nathanson scored Bradley and it was 5-2 with one out. Cody Miller was hit by a pitch and Reed Massey entered the game as a pinch runner. Andrew Orzel was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A Brett Rodriguez sacrifice fly plated a run and then a single to right by Max McDougald scored two runs to tie the game at 5-5.

Both teams were retired in order in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, the Catamounts went down in order. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Mack Nathanson walked. On a strikeout, Nathanson was caught stealing second to end the inning. The Catamounts singled with one out in the top of the tenth inning and the runner moved to second on a wild pitch. A ground out advanced the runner to third, but a ground ball to first ended the top half. Wofford was retired in order to send the game to the eleventh inning.

With two outs in the top of the eleventh, Cameron Blaquiere was hit by a pitch. He moved to second on a failed pickoff attempt and the next batter walked. A long fly ball to center field ended the Catamount half of the eleventh. Alec Cargin walked to lead off the bottom of the eleventh for the Terriers. A single up the middle by Colin Davis put runners on the corners with one out and then Davis stole second. Against a five-man infield, a single by McClain Bradley on a full count scored Cargin for the 6-5 victory.

Austin Higginbotham started for the Terriers and went 6.1 innings. He allowed five runs on nine hits, while striking out three batters. Ty Reginelli threw two-thirds of an inning without allowing a hit and striking out two. Jake Hershman went 3.2 innings and did not allow a run on one hit and two strikeouts. Anthony Garcia (2-0) got the final out and the win.

Western Carolina starting pitcher Chase Walter threw 6.1 innings with two runs allowed on six hits, along with five strikeouts. Jake Niezen gave up three runs on one hit and a pair of hit batters. Zach Franklin (0-3) went the final 4.0 innings with one run allowed on three hits, while striking out six batters.

Wofford will continue the Southern Conference series against Western Carolina on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m.