SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the deciding game of a Southern Conference series, the Wofford College baseball team was defeated 6-1 by Samford on Sunday at Russell C. King Field. The game was tied at 1-1 after three innings, but the Bulldogs scored twice in the fourth inning and three times in the fifth inning for the final margin.
Wofford is 26-19 overall and 8-6 in the Southern Conference. Samford is 33-12 on the season and 13-2 in league play to sit in first place. With Samford winning the weekend series, it marks the first conference series loss of the season for the Terriers.
Reed Massey had two of the Terriers' five hits in the game. Brooks Carlson led the Bulldogs with three hits and three RBIs.
The Bulldogs opened the game with a single on the first pitch. A fielder's choice and two fly balls ended the top half.
Brett Rodriguez walked to start the bottom of the first inning but was unable to advance. In the second inning the Bulldogs had a single and Wofford was retired in order. Samford led off the third inning with a double and with one out a sacrifice fly gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 advantage.
Reed Massey had a double to lead off the bottom of the third inning. With one out, a single by
Brett Rodriguez scored Massey and he moved to second on the throw home as the game was tied at 1-1. The Bulldogs had a single with one out and then with two outs a home run by Kaden Dreier gave Samford a 3-1 lead. Wofford was retired in order to end the fourth inning.
In the fifth inning, the Bulldogs began with a pair of singles and both runners scored on an RBI single for a 5-1 lead. A walk and hit by pitch had the bases loaded with one out. A sacrifice fly made it 6-1 before a fielder's choice ended the top half of the fifth. The Terriers were retired in order at the end of the fifth inning.
With two outs in the top of the sixth inning, the Bulldogs loaded the bases on a walk, single and walk. A fielder's choice ended the scoring chance. Wofford went in order to end the sixth. In the top of the seventh, Samford led off with a hit by pitch and walk. A double play and strikeout sent the game to the stretch. Wofford went in order to end the seventh inning.
Samford led off the eighth with a double and added a single, but runners were stranded on the corners.
Alec Cargin doubled to start the bottom of the eighth inning and
Reed Massey followed with a single. A walk by
Mike Brown loaded the bases. A strikeout and infield fly were followed by a ground out to ended the scoring chance for the Terriers. The Bulldogs left one on base in the top of the ninth. With one out in the bottom of the ninth,
Colin Davis singled for the Terriers. A double play ended the game.
David Yourke (1-3) started for Wofford and went four innings with three runs allowed on five hits, along with two strikeouts.
Jake Hershman threw two innings with three runs on three hits.
Anthony Garcia finished the final three innings with two hits allowed and three strikeouts.
Samford starter Zach Hester (6-3) threw seven innings with one run allowed on two hits and four strikeouts. Connor Radcliff gave up two hits. Stephen Jones earned his eleventh save of the season by going the last two innings with one hit allowed and a strikeout.
Wofford will host Winthrop on Wednesday, May 1, in a game that was added to the schedule. The Terriers will then travel to The Citadel for a three-game series beginning on Friday night at 6:30 p.m.
