SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team felt some early pressure from UNC Asheville Tuesday evening at Russell C. King Field, but the Terriers plated four in the third and never looked back to claim a 9-5 win over the Bulldogs. Wofford improves to 7-1 on the season as Asheville drops to 3-5.
 
The Terriers utilized five pitchers in the contest with Sheldon Egger earning the starting nod. He tossed 1.2 innings with three runs allowed, none earned, while tallying four strikeouts. Freshman Austin Laughlin (1-0) secured the win as the first pitcher out of the bullpen, tossing 2.1 innings with no runs on one hit and one walk. He struck out three. Noah McMahon made his debut, pitching a one-run inning. Carter Rasmussen tossed 3.0 frames with a run allowed and four punchouts, and Alec Bouchard hurled a 1-2-3 ninth to close the contest.

"It felt good. As we do in the pen, we're supposed to come in and set the tone, and I'd say I set the tone well. Good team win," said Laughlin of his outing. 
 
Asheville used seven hurlers with the first reliever, John Whiteside (0-2), suffering the loss. He pitched a single inning with two runs surrendered on three walks and a hit.
 
Hits were tied at 11 apiece in the game, but the big divider was walks. The patient Terriers drew nine free passes while only dishing out three on the mound. Tyler Bak led the charge at the dish with three base knocks, including a pair of doubles. He drove in four runs. James Layman recorded two hits. Harrison Campi kept swinging a hot bat with a hit and walk, collecting two RBI. Ryan Wynn and David Wiley each drove in a run. Adam Haber tallied one hit and worked a trio of walks to reach base four times. Tyler Hare added two walks.

"I just came up to bat with a simple approach, simple mindset, and find something I can drive," said Bak of his performance. "I just felt like everyone played their role and kept on competing until the end." 
 
Wofford opened the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first. With two on, David Wiley singled through the left side to push across the game's first score. With the defense not paying attention to the runners after the play halted, Harrison Campi and Wiley each broke for the next bag and collected steals, and the rushed Asheville throw sailed away to plate Campi. Tyler Bak then doubled home Wiley for the 3-0 advantage.
 
Asheville had a response in the following frame to pull level. With two on, an infield single gave way to a throwing error that allowed a run to score. A two-run single would then tie the contest at 3-3.
 
In the bottom of the third, Wofford broke through with four runs to pull back in front. Campi, Wiley, and Adam Haber opened the inning with three consecutive walks. With the bases loaded, Bak roped a double over the left fielder's head to clear the bases. After James Layman was hit by a pitch and Niko Brini walked, the bases were loaded once more for Ryan Wynn. He was also plunked, pushing across Bak for the newfound 7-3 lead.
 
The Bulldogs responded with an RBI double in the top of the fifth, pulling closer to 7-4.
 
After a scoreless sixth, Wofford tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Two walks put two runners on for Wofford, and Brini's sacrifice advanced them both to scoring position. Campi helped the Terriers again take advantage of the free passes, driving a single to left to push both runners home and make the margin 9-4.
 
Asheville gave one last gasp in the top of the eighth with an RBI double, cutting the margin to 9-5. However, Alec Bouchard toed the rubber in the top of the ninth and put the side down in order to secure the victory.

"Builds a little bit of confidence, especially going into tomorrow," said assistant coach Hudson Byorick of the win. "It's going to be a different atmosphere, first time we're not playing at home. So I'm excited to see how we do there." 
 
Wofford hits the road for the first time this season tomorrow by traveling to face former SoCon foe Davidson. First pitch between the Terriers and Wildcats is set for 5:30 p.m. with the game streaming on ESPN+.