SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Though Kennesaw State plated six runs in the fifth to lead 6-1, the Wofford baseball team would secure a big inning of its own, rallying for seven in the sixth to pull back in front and win 8-6. Wofford pulls back to .500 at 7-7 with the win, while Kennesaw State drops to 8-4 with the result.
 
Sam Stratton (1-0) earned his first win of the season in 1.0 inning of work out of the bullpen. He allowed just one hit and one walk, striking out one with no runs allowed. Carter Bailey made his first career start, pitching an effective 3.0 shutout innings with two strikeouts. Lucas Mahlstedt relieved Bailey, tossing 1.1 innings and surrendering five runs with two strikeouts. Michael Sills tossed 0.2 innings and allowed just a run. Next in was the victor, Stratton, followed by O'Kelly McWilliams IV with 1.0 inning on the bump. He fanned two with no runs. Dalton Rhadans (2) hurled the final 2.0 frames, punching out four to record the save.
 
The loss went to Luke Cooper (0-1) after he surrendered three runs in 1.0 inning of relief.
 
It was a bullpen game for both squads with 14 combined pitchers toeing the rubber, eight Owls and six Terriers. Both starters tossed 3.0 scoreless innings each, with all scoring coming against relief arms. The Terrier relivers did a little better, tallying nine of Wofford's 11 punchouts, while the Owl relievers accrued six of the seven Kennesaw State strikeouts.
 
Three Terriers totaled multi-hit games, with Brennen Dorighi leading the way. He knocked three hits and drove in a run. Trey Yunger and John Dempsey each totaled two hits, with Yunger also picking up an RBI. Ryan Galanie kept his hot streak alive, extending his on-base streak to 14 games with a walk and a base hit. He drove home two runs as well, the only Terrier with multiple RBI in the contest. Jack Renwick was one of three Terrier batters to work a walk and the only one with multiple, picking up two free passes. Wofford remained stout on the basepaths, as seven different Terriers stole a base in the game.
 
The freshman starters of both squads were strong out of the gate, and the contest appeared to have the makings of a pitchers' duel. However, each side entered its respective bullpen in the fourth, and the offenses then found life. The first blow came in the bottom of the fourth when Brennen Dorighi reached on an infield single. A throwing error allowed a run to come around and score, putting Wofford in front.
 
The Owls immediately responded in a big way, plating six in the top of the fifth. A bases loaded hit-by-pitch scored the tying run for Kennesaw State. A single then put the Owls in front, and a sacrifice fly scored one more. With the bases full again, a double to left center cleared the bags to make the score 6-1 in favor of Kennesaw State.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Terriers found a rhythm and returned the favor. Dorighi struck once more to plate a run by way of a double to right center. Cameron Gill reached on a fielder's choice that allowed a runner to score, and then Shane Lussier scored Dorighi with a bunt single. Jack Renwick worked a bases loaded walk to help bring Wofford within one run, and Ryan Galanie singled up the middle to help the Terriers retake the lead. A Trey Yunger double into the left center gap brought home Galanie for a nice insurance run, and the score stood at 8-6 with Wofford on top.
 
The Terrier relievers hunkered down to keep the Owls in check, with O'Kelly McWilliams IV and Dalton Rhadans hurling scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Rhadans remained on the bump for the top of the ninth, finding himself with runners on the corners and two outs. On a 2-2 count, Rhadans froze the Kennesaw State batter to tally a strikeout, slamming the door shut for the 8-6 Wofford triumph.
 
The Terriers remain at Russell C. King Field this weekend for a three-game series with Lafayette that begins Friday night. First pitch against the Leopards is set for 6:00 p.m. with the game streaming on ESPN+.