SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford baseball team utilized late scoring to break a 4-4 tie in the sixth inning, and Dalton Rhadans slammed the door shut at Russell C. King Field to secure victory for the Terriers Friday night. Wofford extends its winning streak to three with the win over the Runnin' Bulldogs, improving to 15-8. Gardner-Webb drops to 9-14 (1-2 Big South).
 
Holden Wilder (4-0) earned the win for the Terriers in relief, pitching 2.1 innings as the first arm out of the bullpen. He allowed just two hits and no runs or walks with three strikeouts. He has secured a victory in each of his last four appearances. Matthew Marchal started for Wofford, tossing 3.2 innings with six hits, four runs and one walk. He fanned six before yielding to Wilder. Dalton Rhadans (3) notched the save by hurling the final 3.0 innings, shutting the door with three punchouts and only one hit allowed. The three Terrier pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.
 
The loss was charged to Runnin' Bulldog starter Joe Simeone (3-3) after he pitched 5.2 innings and surrendered six runs.
 
Both teams secured nine hits, but Wofford made more of its opportunities, leaving four runners on base as opposed to seven for Gardner-Webb. John Dempsey remained scorching hot, pacing the Terriers with two hits and two RBI. One of his hits was a solo home run, his fifth of the season. Brennen Dorighi and Brice Martinez each tallied two hits as well, with both driving in a run. Nolen Hester secured Wofford's only other RBI, knocking a hit and also reaching a second time by way of a walk.
 
The Terriers out-ran the Runnin' Bulldogs on the basepaths, swiping seven bags to just one for Gardner-Webb. Jack Renwick, Dorighi, and Martinez each totaled two steals, with Hester picking up the other. This is the first-career multi-steal game for both Dorighi and Martinez.
 
John Dempsey opened the scoring early with a bang, launching a solo big fly over the right center fence in the bottom of the first for a quick Wofford lead.
 
The Terriers tacked on two more in the second, with Brice Martinez knocking an RBI single to center field with two runners on. A balk then allowed a run to come home, making the score 3-0 in favor of Wofford.
 
In the bottom of the third, another Gardner-Webb miscue allowed a run in. After Jack Renwick stole both second and third, a passed ball plated him for a 4-0 advantage.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs got right back in it with a big fourth frame. Back-to-back homers put Gardner-Webb on the board to begin the inning and halve Wofford's lead, sparking some life. The momentum then saw two-straight RBI doubles even the game at 4-4.
 
After a quiet fifth, Wofford got back to work and reclaimed the lead in the sixth. With two outs, Lawson Hill singled to right center, setting the scene for Brennen Dorighi to smack a double into right field and bring Hill home. After swiping third base, Dorighi scored when Nolen Hester singled to right field. Wofford was back on top, 6-4.
 
Dempsey struck again in the bottom of the seventh to provide an insurance run, as an RBI single plated Marshall Toole to make the score 7-4 in favor of the Terriers.
 
Dalton Rhadans took charge from there, taking command on the mound to shut the door and seal the 7-4 win for Wofford.
 
The Terriers continue the split series with the Runnin' Bulldogs tomorrow by traveling up to Boiling Springs, N.C. Game two is set for 4:00 p.m.