SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College baseball team was defeated 11-6 by USC Upstate on Tuesday afternoon at Harley Park. The Spartans scored six runs in the third inning to break the game open and added three runs in the fifth inning. The Terriers rallied with three runs in the top of the ninth but left the bases loaded to end the game.
Wofford is now 7-2 on the season, while USC Upstate is 7-1 overall. The Terriers had six hits in the game, led by
Brett Rodriguez with two. The Spartans had ten hits, four of which were for extra bases, and were led by Jason Matthews with three hits.
Brett Rodriguez opened the game with a bunt single and he stole second base. He moved to third on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by
John Dempsey for a 1-0 lead. The Spartans had the bases loaded in the bottom of the first. With one out a fielder's choice plated a run and a ground out ended the first inning with the score tied at 1-1.
Wofford was retired in order in the top of the second inning and the Spartans led off with a double. With one out, a sacrifice fly made it a 2-1 game. They followed with a double and the runner moved to third on an error before a ground out ended the frame.
Brett Rodriguez singled with two outs in the top of the third inning but was picked off. After a double and a walk, a triple to left center drove in both runs. An RBI single pushed the lead to 5-1. With runners on first and third a sacrifice bunt added a run for a 6-1 advantage. The Spartans had runners at first and third again when a stolen base and throwing error on the play allowed both runners to score as they took an 8-1 lead.
The Terriers left one runner on base in the top of the fourth after
John Dempsey was hit by a pitch. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Spartans stranded two runners.
Nolen Hester walked to led off the top of the fifth, then he stole second and moved to third on an error. He scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 8-2. In the bottom of the fifth, the Spartans loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a bunt single. A fielder's choice scored one run and a triple to right center made it an 11-2 game.
John Dempsey got one run back on a solo home run to right field in the top of the sixth inning. The Spartans had one runner on base in the bottom of the sixth when Wofford turned a double play to end the frame.
Shane Lussier was left at second base after he was hit by a pitch and advanced on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh inning. The Terriers turned another double play in the bottom of the seventh but then loaded the bases on three batters hit by pitches. A ground out ended the inning with the runners stranded.
In the top of the eighth,
Trey Yunger singled and moved to second on a wild pitch before being stranded. The Spartans stranded one in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Nolen Hester led off the ninth with a double and moved to third on a fly ball.
Shane Lussier and
Mike Brown walked to load the bases. A double with two outs by
Alec Cargin drove in two runs for an 11-5 score. A wild pitch enabled a run to cross the plate and two walks loaded the bases with two outs. A fly ball ended the game with an 11-6 final margin.
Wofford starter
Josh Vitus (0-1) went 2.0 innings with two runs allowed on two hits.
Scottie Wallace gave up five runs on three hits in a third of an inning.
Matt Ellmyer went two innings with four runs allowed on three hits and three walks.
Jake Dippold did not allow a run on two hits in 2.1 innings.
Ethan Imbimbo retired the one batter he faced.
Ryan Crehan made his first appearance and did not allow a hit in an inning with one strikeout. Wofford pitchers combined to hit nine batters to set a new school record.
Kyle Schmitt (2-0) started for USC Upstate and went 4.2 innings with two runs allowed on two hits, along with two strikeouts. Will Lancaster worked 2.1 innings with one run allowed on one hit. Austin Morgan threw 2.1 innings with one hit allowed and two strikeouts. Brady Betts gave up three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Will Wheeler recorded the final out for the Spartans.
Next up, the Terriers will host Merrimack for a three-game series beginning on Friday at 6:00 p.m.
