SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team (3-1) dropped their first game of the season in an 8-2 loss to the University of South Carolina (3-1) Tuesday evening at Fifth Third Park.

Right-handed pitcher Champ Davis got the start for the Terriers, pitching three innings. Davis gave up two hits and one run with two strikeouts. Branton Little took over the mound in the fourth to pitch for 1.1 innings. Little (0-1) gave up four hits and two runs, striking out one batter. True freshman right-handed pitcher Hiram Lewis followed, making a huge statement on the mound in his first collegiate showing. Lewis pitched for a no-hit, no-run 1.2 innings while striking out two batters to close out the top of the fifth. Blayne Newman, Austin Laughlin and Cade Bouknight would each go for an inning.

After the Gamecocks were retired in order in the top of the first, the Terriers got on the board with a solo home run by Cade Collins on the second pitch of the night. Ben Timblin and Logan Tribble would each single, but Wofford would end the first with a 1-0 lead over the Gamecocks. Davis allowed South Carolina just one hit throughout two innings before the Gamecocks found an opportunity in the third to tie the game 1-1.

The Gamecocks would score two runs on four hits to give them a 3-1 lead over Wofford in the fourth. South Carolina's strong pitching effort from Connor Chicoli (1-0) kept the Terriers limited at the plate, only producing five hits and one run through the first five innings. The Terriers would not see another chance to score until late in the eighth when with two runners on base Keeton Burroughs grounded to first, driving in pitch runner Ethan Belk. The ninth inning would see the Gamecocks widen their lead with two home runs to left field to close out the game with an 8-2 victory.
 
Quick Hits:

• Starting Lineup: Cade Collins (3B), Niko Brini (CF), Keeton Burroughs (2B), Ben Timblin (LF), Logan Tribble (DH), Andrew Mannelly (RF), Harrison Campi (SS), Lucas Manning (C), James Layman (1B) and Champ Davis (P).
• The last time the Terriers played South Carolina was in 2017 when the Gamecocks were ranked #25 in the nation.
• This is the second time Wofford has played at Fifth Third Park, home of the minor league team the Hub City Spartanburgers.
• Wofford's and South Carolina's pitching saw seven strikeouts each.

 
The Terriers are set to return to Russell C. King Field for a weekend match against Valpo on Friday, February 20, at 5:30 p.m. with NJIT on Saturday, February 21, at 2 p.m. To close out weekend play, Wofford will face off against Northern Illinois on Sunday, February 22, at 1 p.m., which will be streamed on ESPN +.