SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Despite a late push by VMI, the Wofford baseball team remained steadfast Thursday evening, scoring two in the eighth to flip the script and secure a 7-6 win at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers improve to 31-24 (8-12 SoCon) as the Keydets drop to 26-25 (5-15 SoCon). Wofford has clinched the series.
 
"It's great. It feels good to come out and win Wednesday, and then getting the second one and staying hot was awesome," said assistant coach Hudson Byorick of the series win.
 
The Terriers needed just two pitchers for the win, starting Alec Bouchard who hurled 7.0 innings of two-run ball. The outing was the longest of his career and marked his first quality start. He allowed just four hits and one walk with five strikeouts. Kenny Michaels (4-3) picked up the win in relief, pitching the final 2.0 frames. He allowed four runs (two earned) with a pair of punchouts.
 
"I just kept getting better every inning, felt more confident, and every pitch felt better," said Bouchard.
 
Three Keydets hit the mound with the final one, Caden Plummer (4-4) taking the loss. He pitched just the final frame of VMI defense, surrendering two runs on two hits and a walk.
 
Hits were even at 10 apiece with a pair of Terriers notching three each: Tyler Bak and Adam Haber. The remaining four hits were dispersed evenly among four with one each. Bak had a team-high three RBI as Haber drove home two. Wofford's only two extra-base hits were collected by Bak, who tallied a double and a home run, just the second of his career.
 
On the bases, Niko Brini led the way with a pair of swipes. Bak notched one, as did Tanner Hardin.
 
The scoring opened in the bottom of the first when Tyler Bak lifted a two-out solo shot to left field. The homer traveled 378 feet into the trees as the opposite-field clout provided an early 1-0 edge.
 
VMI responded with its own solo homer in the top of the second to tie the game. However, Wofford hit back with four runs in the bottom of the frame. A fielding error set up Cade Collins with a runner on, and he hit a single into center that was misplayed. He would come around to score after a second error occurred with a throwaway. Back-to-back singles would set up Bak, who delivered again with an RBI double. Adam Haber then lifted a sacrifice fly to plate another run, making the score 5-1.
 
The Keydets got a run back with another solo home run in the top of the third, pulling within 5-2. Pitched settled in from there for both teams as zeroes populated the scoreboard until the eighth inning.
 
The streak of four-and-a-half innings of goose eggs snapped with a four-run frame in the top of the eighth for the Keydets. A wild pitch opened the scoring, and a second run scored with a single. Another RBI single tied the game, and VMI claimed a 6-5 lead with another single.
 
Ever resilient, the Terriers fought back in the bottom of the inning. Niko Brini was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and stole second. Bak proved to be clutch yet again with a single to push home Brini for a tied ballgame. Bak stole second, and with two outs Haber proved to be the hero. He delivered a single that scored Bak for the 7-6 lead.
 
"I knew if I could just get a hit, somehow, someway [Bak] was going to score," said Haber of the game-winning knock. "I was just trying to stay within myself, and good things will happen."
 
VMI looked to provide its own threat in the top of the ninth. After a lead-off lineout, a single put the potential tying run on first. Kenny Michaels provided a smooth pick-off throw to catch the runner leaning, and he struck out the batter for out three to clinch the triumph 7-6, also securing the series win.
 
The series concludes tomorrow afternoon with first pitch slated for 2:00 p.m. It will be senior day at Russell C. King Field as the Terriers honor their eight seniors prior to first pitch.