LEXINGTON, Va. – On Saturday afternoon, the Wofford College baseball team picked up an 8-4 win over VMI at Gray-Minor Stadium. The Keydets scored first, but the Terriers plated five runs in the fourth inning for a 6-3 lead. VMI added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but were held scoreless for the final five innings as Wofford added two more runs for the final margin.
 
Wofford is now 32-20 on the season and 12-8 in the Southern Conference. VMI is 25-22 overall and 11-9 in the league. The Terriers had eight hits in the game, with Mack Nathanson leading the way with two hits and three RBIs. Nathan Eaton and Callen Nuccio each had three hits for the Keydets, but VMI left 15 runners on base in the game.
 
Both teams had singles in the first inning. After Wofford was retired in order in the top of the second, the Keydets drew a lead-off walk and it was followed by a single. With one out, a single to right field along with a fielding error plated both runners for a 2-0 lead. Alec Cargin began the third inning for Wofford with a single. He moved to second base and third base on a pair of wild pitches. Brett Rodriguez walked with one out and a sacrifice fly by Mack Nathanson scored Cargin for a 2-1 score.
 
The Keydets got the run back with a solo home run by Matt Pita to lead off the bottom of the third. A walk, double and walk loaded the bases with one out. Back-to-back fly balls ended the inning with three runners stranded. McClain Bradley opened the fourth inning with a single and Andrew Orzel followed with a walk. On a bunt by Colin Davis, a throwing error sent the ball into right field and both runners scored to tie the game at 3-3. Davis was out at home attempting to score on a wild pitch. Max McDougald doubled with two outs and Alec Cargin had an RBI single to give Wofford a 4-3 lead. Alex Malsch and Brett Rodriguez walked to load the bases. A single to shallow center field by Mack Nathanson drove in two runs to make it a 6-3 game.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Keydets opened with a single and followed by a pair of fielder's choices. A double with two outs drove in a run for a 6-4 score. Andrew Orzel and Colin Davis walked to start the fifth inning. They moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt and Orzel scored on a wild pitch to take a7-4 lead. The Keydets reached on an error to begin the bottom of the fifth, but the Terriers then turned a double play and a foul out ended the frame.
 
Wofford was retired in order in the top of the sixth inning. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, the Keydets had back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. A double play ended the inning for VMI. The Terriers had two outs in the top of the seventh when Colin Davis cleared the scoreboard in left centerfield for an 8-4 advantage. It was his tenth home run of the season. The Keydets led off their half of the seventh with a single and a fielder's choice. After a fly ball, a runner reached on a wild pitch after a strikeout to put runners on the corners. A walk loaded the bases but a fly ball ended the inning with three runners stranded.
 
Max McDougald led off the eighth inning with a walk and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alec Cargin. An infield single by Alex Malsch and a hit by pitch to Brett Rodriguez loaded the bases with one out. The Keydets turned a double play to end the scoring chance. VMI had a single with one out in the bottom of the eighth and followed with a walk. A pair of ground outs sent the game to the ninth inning. Wofford went in order in the top of the ninth. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Keydets had back-to-back walks.  A single loaded the bases, but a fly ball to left field ended the game.
 
Austin Higginbotham (6-3) started for the Terriers and threw seven innings with four runs allowed on ten hits. He struck out three batters. Jake Hershman went the final two innings and did not allow a run on two hits.
 
VMI starter Zak Kent (5-4) threw four innings with seven runs allowed on six hits. He walked six batters and struck out three. Kyle Staats went 3.1 innings with one run allowed on one hit. Derek Tremblay allowed one hit in the final 1.2 innings.
 
The series will conclude on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. After a few days off for exams, the Terriers will host ETSI for a three-game series beginning on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.