SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team opened their 2026 campaign with an explosive 11-run sixth inning to take home their first win against Mercyhurst Friday night at Russell C. King Field in seven innings.
"We're really pumped," centerfielder
Niko Brini said about the win. "We've been waiting a long time for this. It's a good day to finally get out here and put our feet to the ground."
Kenny Michaels got the start for the Terriers and threw six innings, giving up four hits on two runs and striking out a career-high nine batters.
Champ Davis entered the game in the seventh inning and had two strikeouts to close out the win for the Terriers.
Niko Brini led the team with one run, three hits, a double and a game-high four RBI. Brini was also one of three Terriers to grab two stolen bases along with
Ben Timblin and
Keeton Burroughs. In his first outing for Wofford, Burroughs had an .800 on-base percentage with one run, two hits and one RBI with two stolen bases.
The Lakers were the first to get on board in the second inning. Mike Samarin singled to advance their runner on third to bring in the first run of the game. The Terriers held strong in the third, bringing in one run after
Cade Collins was walked with bases loaded. Freshman
Alex Myers, in his first collegiate appearance, was the first Terrier to score tonight. The game didn't pick up for the Terriers until the sixth inning. Wofford was down 2-1, when a series of hit by pitches and an error brought in a run for the Terriers. The inning continued to go in favor for Wofford as the team brought in nine runs on seven hits to close out the sixth with a 12-2 lead over the Lakers. Michaels and Davis combined to keep Mercyhurst scoreless for the final four innings to bring the Terriers their 12-2 win.
Quick Hits:
- Starting Lineup: Kenny Michaels (SP), Tanner Hardin (2B), Niko Brini (CF), Keeton Burroughs (DH), Cade Collins (3B), Ben Timblin (LF), James Layman (1B), Andrew Mannelly (RF), Raul Feliz (C), and Harrison Campi (SS).
- The Terriers had an over .900 on-base percentage with 12 runs, 10 hits, nine RBI, no errors and seven stolen bases in tonight's outing.
- Alex Myers made his first collegiate appearance tonight, bringing in one run.
- The last time a freshman scored a run in their collegiate debut was on February 17, 2024, against Bucknell.
- Last time the Terriers scored 10 or more runs in one inning was in 2024 when Wofford played the Presbyterian on April 14.
- Niko Brini tied his game-high of 4 RBI. Brini previously had 4 RBI during Wofford's Southern Conference Tournament matchup against The Citadel on May 22, 2025.
- Starting Pitcher Kenny Michaels threw a career-high nine strikeouts in six innings.
- Three Terriers had two stolen bases each tonight: Brini, Burroughs and Timblin.
The Terriers are back in full swing tomorrow as Wofford plays a doubleheader against Mercyhurst, starting at 12 p.m. Game three of the series will follow 45 minutes after the conclusion of game two.
