SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team grabbed a 7-6 series opening win over East Tennessee State University on Friday night in their final weekend at Russell C. King Field. The Terriers (32-17, 10-6) had a slow start but got the bats going with three runs in the fourth inning. The Buccaneers (29-18, 9-7) drove in two runs in the fifth to tie the game, but a dominate four-run seventh inning lifted Wofford to the win.
Alec Bouchard started for the Terriers, pitching seven innings. Bouchard (9-2) gave up six hits and three runs with seven strikeouts.
Branton Little pitched the final two frames and gave up four hits and three runs, while striking out four batters.
Marc Quarrie led Wofford with two hits and three RBI with
Lucas Manning following behind with a two-run homer.
Ben Timblin contributed two runs on one hit.
The game had a slow start in the crucial conference match-up with the contest remaining scoreless through three innings, despite the Terriers having four hits. The first run of the night came in from ETSU in the top of the fourth from an RBI single.
Ben Timblin started the bottom of the fourth inning with a leadoff triple to put the Terriers in scoring position. With one out,
Hunter Herndon hit a single to center field to drive home Timblin to tie the game at 1-1. Wofford's bats didn't stop there with
Lucas Manning hitting a home run to deep center field to give the Terriers a 3-1 lead.
The Buccaneers answered in the top of the fifth inning, leading off with a walk and a double. Another double drove in two runs to tie the game at 3-3. A quick 1-2-3 inning followed for Wofford before a scoreless sixth inning. The Terriers came into the bottom of the seventh with a
Brady Gold walk with one out to put a runner on base. With two outs on the board for Wofford,
Niko Brini hit a bunt single to advanced Gold to third base.
Logan Tribble followed with an RBI bunt single to break the deadlock with a 4-3 lead. A walk to
Ben Timblin loaded the bases.
Marc Quarrie doubled to clear the bases for a 7-3 advantage.
Branton Little threw three straight strikeouts to quickly retire the Buccaneers to bring the ball game to the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out, pinch hitter
Raul Feliz hit a double down the left field line. A hit by pitch followed before a fielder's choice left runners on third and first for Wofford. A walk for
Niko Brini loaded the bases once more for the Terriers. However, a pop up ended Wofford's scoring chances.
The Buccaneers started the top of the ninth inning with two quick outs. A double put ETSU in scoring position. An RBI single and a home run followed to cut the lead to 7-6. The Buccaneers added one more hit before a fly out ended the game.
Quick Hits:
- Starting Lineup: Cade Collins (3B), Niko Brini (CF), Logan Tribble (LF), Ben Timblin (RF), Marc Quarrie (DH), Hunter Herndon (1B), Lucas Manning (C), Tanner Hardin (2B), Brady Gold (SS), and Alec Bouchard (SP).
- Â Alec Bocuhard and Branton Little combined for 11 strikeouts in tonight's outing. Bouchard now has 93 strikeouts on the season.
- Bouchard grabbed his ninth win of the season in tonight's contest, which now puts him in a tie for the fourth-most victories in the nation.
- Lucas Manning hit his fifth home run of the season.
- With Ben Timblin's triple, he leads the Southern Conference and is ninth in the nation with five.
The Terriers are back at Russell C. King Field on Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. against ETSU for game two of the series, streaming on ESPN +.
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