SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Sunday afternoon, the Wofford College baseball team defeated Merrimack 3-1 at Russell C. King Field to win the weekend series. The Warriors scored in the top of the first inning, but the Terriers scored twice in the bottom of the first for the lead and added a run in the fourth inning. Merrimack loaded the bases in the ninth before a strikeout ended the game.
 
Wofford is now 9-3 on the season, while Merrimack is 6-5 overall. The Terriers had seven hits in the game, with two each from John Dempsey and Brett Rodriguez. The Warriors were limited to three hits on the day.
 
The Warriors led off the game with a single and the runner moved to second on a failed pick-off. After a fly ball, a ground out scored the run for a 1-0 lead. Mike Brown and Brett Rodriguez had back-to-back singles in the bottom of the first inning. A fly ball moved Brown to third and Rodriguez stole second base. With the steal, he has tied the school's career record with 84 stolen bases with Tim Renfrow (1981-83). A single to right field by John Dempsey scored both runners for a 2-1 lead. Both teams were retired in order in the second inning and in the top of the third the Warriors stranded two runners after a walk and a fielder's choice.
 
Wofford was retired in order in the bottom of the third inning. With one out in the top of the fourth, the Warriors added a single before the Terriers turned a double play. In the bottom of the fourth with one out, John Dempsey tripled to right center and then crossed home on a throwing error for a 3-1 lead. Merrimack stranded two runners on base in the top of the fifth inning after a single and hit by pitch.
 
Shane Lussier began the bottom of the fifth with an infield single and he stole second base. Mike Brown walked and then a double steal moved the runners into scoring position. A strikeout and ground out ended the inning. Both teams were retired in order in the sixth inning and Merrimack went in order in the top of the seventh. Andrew Orzel doubled to lead off the bottom of the seventh and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Orzel was out at home on a bunt by Matty Brown.
 
In the top of the eighth the Warriors left one on base after a fielding error. Brett Rodriguez doubled to lead off the bottom of the eighth. On a fielder's choice he was out at third base and a fly ball ended the top half. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, three straight walks loaded the bases. A strikeout looking ended the game with a 3-1 final score.
 
Wofford starter Josh Vitus went four innings and allowed one unearned run on two hits. Dalton Rhadans (3-0) threw three innings with one hit allowed and two strikeouts. Rasesh Pandya threw two innings and did not allow a hit to earn his first save of the season.
 
Vin Zappulla (0-2) started for Merrimack and went six innings with three runs allowed on five hits, along with five strikeouts. Jake Thibault closed the game and in two innings allowed two hits.
 
Wofford returns to King Field on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. as the Terriers host Winthrop. A road game at Winthrop on Wednesday will be followed by the beginning of a three-game series against LaSalle on Friday at 6:00 p.m.