BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –The Wofford baseball team dropped the series opener against Samford by a 7-6 score at Joe Griffin Field on Thursday. The Bulldogs (27-23, 11-8) put up five runs in the first inning before the Terriers (33-19, 11-8) answered back with five runs in the second to tie the game. Wofford took the lead with a solo home run by
Lucas Manning in the sixth, but Samford was able to tie the game once more in the seventh before the Bulldogs walked it off in the ninth.
Alec Bouchard started and pitched six innings, giving up nine hits and five runs with eight strikeouts.
Branton Little followed, pitching for 2.1 innings. Little (3-3) gave up two runs on three hits with one strikeout.
Lucas Manning contributed two runs on two hits, including a solo home run.
The Terriers started off scoreless in the first before the Bulldogs went into the bottom of the inning to score five runs. The Bulldogs scored on an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly before three straight home runs with two outs to take a 5-0 lead.
Lucas Manning started off the second inning for the Terriers with a single to left field. A walk to
Marc Quarrie and a single by
Hunter Herndon loaded the bases for Wofford.
Tanner Hardin had a sacrifice fly to bring in the first run for Wofford, cutting Samford's lead to 5-1. A walk issued to
Brady Gold loaded the bases once more for the Terriers. With two outs,
Niko Brini tripled to clear the bases, pushing the Terriers to 5-4. An RBI triple by
Logan Tribble tied the ball game 5-5.
Three scoreless innings followed for both teams, including the bottom of the fourth where
Alec Bouchard retired Samford's batting in order on eight pitches.
Lucas Manning lifted the Terriers to a 6-5 lead in the top of the sixth inning with a leadoff home run.
The Terriers had a single from
Logan Tribble in the top of the seventh, but he was unable to advance. The Bulldogs started their half of the seventh with a double and a throwing error on the play to advance the runner to third base. A sacrifice fly with one out brought in the game-tying run 6-6. A quick scoreless eighth inning followed. Wofford was retired in order in the top of the ninth. Samford led off once again with a double to start the bottom of the ninth. A walk and a single loaded the bases and with one out a fielder's choice ended the game as Samford walked it off 7-6 to grab the series opener.
Quick Hits:
The Terriers will be back again on Friday, May 15, for game two against Samford with first pitch at 5 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN +.
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