BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –The Wofford baseball team took down Samford in an 8-6 contest on Friday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The Terriers (34-19, 12-8) got off to a quick start with two runs in the first inning. The Bulldogs (27-24,11-9) answered back with one run in the second, but the Terriers built a 6-2 lead after five innings. Samford cut the lead to 6-5 through eight innings, but Wofford added two runs on a single by
Ben Timblin in the top of the ninth and held the Bulldogs to one run in the bottom of the ninth for the win.
Cullen Condon made the start for the Terriers, pitching seven innings. Condon (7-2) gave up four runs on eight hits with a season-high nine strikeouts.
Austin Laughlin followed in relief pitching two innings. Laughlin captured his second save this season, giving up just two hits and one earned run to secure the win.
Ben Timblin had a career night, going 5-for-5 at the plate with three runs and a season-high of seven RBI. Timblin had two singles, a triple, and two home runs.
The Terriers opened the first inning with an RBI single by
Ben Timblin on two outs to bring in
Cade Collins.
Lucas Manning followed with another RBI single to right field to give Wofford a 2-0 lead. The Bulldogs came back to drive in one run for a 2-1 game in the bottom of the second inning. With one out to start the Terriers' third inning,
Logan Tribble walked.
Ben Timblin came out swinging with a home run deep to centerfield to advance the Terriers' lead to 4-1. The Bulldogs had an RBI double to cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the third.
After a scoreless fourth inning,
Niko Brini started off the fifth inning with a leadoff single to left field. With one out,
Ben Timblin responded once again with a home run to right field to lift Wofford to a 6-2 lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning, a leadoff home run for the Bulldogs made it a 6-3 game. Samford added a double and an RBI single to cut the Terriers' lead to 6-4. After Wofford was retired in order in the top of the eighth, a leadoff single followed by a double put the Bulldogs in scoring position. A sacrifice fly cut the lead to 6-5.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, a walk to
Niko Brini and a single by
Logan Tribble kept Wofford's chances to extend their lead alive.
Ben Timblin hit a single up the middle to drive in pinch runner
Andrew Mannelly and
Niko Brini to push Wofford's lead to 8-6. Two walks followed to load the bases for the Terriers, but a pop up ended the scoring chance. The bottom of the ninth began with a hit by pitch and with one out a fielding error gave Samford two runners on base. A fly out to left field got the second out, but a throwing error on the play allowed Samford to score one run to push the game 8-6. A ground out ended the game, evening the series heading into Saturday's regular season finale.
Quick Hits:
- Starting Lineup: Cade Collins (3B), Niko Brini (CF), Logan Tribble (LF), Ben Timblin (RF), Lucas Manning (C), Marc Quarrie (DH), Hunter Herndon (1B), Tanner Hardin (2B), Brady Gold (SS) and Cullen Condon (SP).
- Ben Timblin went 5-for-5 with his 15th home run so far this season. Timblin is the first Terrier since 2024 to hit 15 or more home runs in a season. Timblin also tied the season-high of seven RBI in tonight's outing.
- Ben Timblin leads the team with 63 RBI. Timblin is the first player since 2024 to have 60+ RBI on the season. He also has the ninth-most RBIs in a season in program history.
- Cullen Condon threw a season-high nine strikeouts in his pitching appearance, earning him his seventh victory this season.
- Austin Laughlin secured his second save.
- With tonight's win, the Terriers have secured a top four seed for the Southern Conference Tournament next week in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Terriers will close out the regular season on Saturday, May 16, against Samford in a series rubber match with first pitch at 2 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN +.
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