SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Friday night, the Wofford College baseball team was defeated 10-3 by Merrimack in the opening game of a weekend series at Russell C. King Field. The Warriors scored twice in the first inning and had a 6-3 lead after five innings. They added three runs in the sixth inning and one in the ninth for the final margin.
Wofford is now 7-3 on the season, while Merrimack is 6-3 overall. The Terriers had ten hits in the game, led by
Hudson Byorick with three – including a solo home run. The Warriors had eleven hits and were led by Nick Shumski and Thomas Crowley with three each.
The Warriors had runners on the corners with one out in the top of the first inning. A double with two outs gave Merrimack a 1-0 lead and a wild pitch made it 2-0 before a strikeout ended the top half.
Brett Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the first.
Hudson Byorick followed with a single and then Rodriguez was out at third on a fielder's choice.
Colin Davis was hit by a pitch to load the bases but two strikeouts left the runners stranded.
After Merrimack was retired in order in the top of the second, Wofford left one on base following a single by
Shane Lussier. The Warriors went in order in the top of the third inning.
Hudson Byorick led off the bottom of the third with a single, but was caught stealing second.
Colin Davis reached on an error before a pop-up ended the inning. Merrimack led off the fourth with a single and walk. With two outs a hit by pitch loaded the bases and then a triple to left center cleared the bases for a 5-0 lead.
Wofford had a pair of batters reach on walks in the bottom of the fourth inning. An infield single by
Brett Rodriguez drove in a run for a 5-1 score before the lead runner was caught stealing third base. With two outs in the top of the fifth, the Warriors had a batter hit by a pitch followed by a single. An RBI single made it 6-1 in the middle of the frame.
Hudson Byorick opened the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to cut the lead to 6-2. It was his third career home run.
Colin Davis had a single with one out and he stole second base. A double by
Andrew Orzel drove in Davis to make it a 6-3 game. A bunt single led off the sixth for the Warriors. With one out, a hit by pitch was followed by an RBI single. A fielder's choice scored a run, as the runner was safe at home on the play. They added a sacrifice fly for a 9-3 lead in the middle of the sixth inning. Wofford left one runner on base in the bottom of the sixth after a single by
Brett Rodriguez.
Both teams were retired in order in the seventh inning. The Warriors had a single with two outs in the top of the eighth, but the runner was picked off.
Nolen Hester led off the bottom of the eighth with a single up the middle. A double play and strikeout ended the inning.
In the ninth inning, the Warriors led off with a hit by pitch and added a double with one out. A sacrifice fly made it a 10-3 game.
Mike Brown singled to begin the bottom of the ninth. A line out, fielder's choice and fly ball ended the game.
Wofford starter
Jake Hershman (1-1) went four innings with five runs allowed on five hits, while striking out six batters.
Dalton Rhadans threw two innings and allowed four runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
Jake Dippold went two innings with one hit allowed.
Ryan Crehan threw the ninth and allowed one run on one hit.
Riley Sorenson (2-0) started for Merrimack and went five innings with three runs allowed on seven hits, along with four strikeouts. Jake Thibault earned his first save of the season by going the final four innings without allowing a run on three hits.
Wofford and Merrimack will continue the three-game series on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
