SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Friday afternoon, the Wofford College baseball was defeated 4-2 by ETSU in the second game of a weekend series at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers scored the first two runs, but the game was tied after four innings. The Bucs plated one run each in the seventh and eighth innings for the win to even the series at one game each.
 
Wofford is now 34-21 overall and 14-9 in the Southern Conference. ETSU is 27-22 overall and 11-12 in league play. The Terriers have secured a third place finish in the league. Wofford was led by Brett Rodriguez and McClain Bradley with two hits each. The Bucs had two hits each from Chris Cook, Aaron Maher and Cade Gilbert.
 
The Bucs had a double in the top of the first inning with one out, but did not advance the runner. Brett Rodriguez led off the Wofford half of the first with a single and with one out McClain Bradley doubled. A ground out by Andrew Orzel drove in Rodriguez for a 1-0 lead. After the Bucs were retired in order in the second, Lawson Hill led off with a single. Alec Cargin walked with one out and with runners on the corners a bunt single by Alex Malsch scored Hill to make it 2-0.
 
In the third inning, the Bucs added a double with two outs and the Terriers stranded one after Andrew Orzel was hit by a pitch. The Bucs had a player hit by a pitch with one out. A single was followed by an RBI double off the top of the fence in right field for a 2-1 game. A ground out plated a run to tie the game at 2-2 in the middle of the fourth.
 
After Wofford was retired in order to end the fourth inning, ETSU went in order in the top of the fifth inning. Mack Nathanson and McClain Bradley singled with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but both runners were stranded. The Bucs opened the sixth inning with a double and added a walk with two outs, but a strikeout ended the top half. The Terriers were retired in order in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
With one out in the top of the seventh, the Bucs had a single. A double to left center with two outs scored the runner to give ETSU a 3-2 advantage. Wofford had two outs in the bottom of the seventh when Brett Rodriguez singled, but a strikeout ended the inning. The Bucs led off the eighth with a single and advanced the runner on a sacrifice bunt. An RBI single gave ETSU a 4-2 lead. Wofford had a single by Andrew Orzel with one out in the bottom of the eighth, but was unable to advance. The Bucs singled to begin the ninth, but a fly ball and double play ended the top half. In the bottom of the ninth, Alec Cargin singled with one out. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt before a fly ball ended the game.
 
Austin Higginbotham (6-4) started for the Terriers and went seven innings with three runs allowed on seven hits. He tied a career-high with eight strikeouts and walked one batter. Anthony Garcia threw two innings and gave up one run on three hits, along with one strikeout.
 
ETSU starter Ryan Simpler (6-6) threw 6.2 innings with two runs allowed on seven hits, along with ten strikeouts. James Giambalvo earned his sixth save of the season by going the final 2.1 innings with two hits allowed and two strikeouts.
 
Wofford and ETSU will conclude the series on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the start of the game the team's nine seniors will be honored. The Southern Conference Tournament begins on Tuesday at Fluor Field in Greenville.