Box Score Game Box (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the second game of the weekend Southern Conference series, Wofford was defeated 11-10 by Samford at Russell C. King Field. Despite falling behind 8-2 after two innings, the Terriers rallied to pull within one run in the eighth inning and had the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth.
Wofford is 9-14 overall and 0-5 in conference play. Samford is 15-8 overall and 6-2 in the SoCon. The Terriers were led by James Plaisted with three hits, while Konstantine Diamaduros, Luke Feisal, and Eric Brenk each had two RBIs. The Bulldogs were led by Phillip Ervin with three hits and five RBIs on the day.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the top of the first on a walk and two errors. Another walk plated the first run of the day for Samford. After a second bases loaded walk, C.K. Irby hit a double down the left field line that cleared the bases for a 5-0 lead.
Wofford answered in the bottom of the first when James Foster led off with a single and then Konstantine Diamaduros sent a ball over the left center fence to make it a 5-2 game. The Terriers left two on base to end the first inning.
In the top of the second, Samford loaded the bases on two walks and a single. A single up the middle by Phillip Ervin scored one run. A wild pitch allowed another run to score and then a sacrifice fly by Tommy Corbin made it an 8-2 contest.
The Terriers began the bottom of the third with back-to-back doubles by Mac Doyle and Josh Hyman to make it an 8-3 game. A sacrifice bunt by Eric Brenk scored Hyman from third to cut the lead to 8-4 at the end of three innings.
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Terriers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth. A sacrifice fly by Eric Brenk scored a run and a single by Matt Moore drove in a second run to make it an 8-6 score. A hard hit single to the shortstop by Matthew Kaskow scored David Roney from second base to make it a one-run game at 8-7.
Samford responded in the top of the sixth with a single and a double, which was followed by a home run by Phillip Ervin to increase the lead to 11-7. The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but left all three runners on base. Wofford added two hits in the bottom of the seventh, but both were stranded.
In the bottom of the eighth, Josh Hyman walked and James Plaisted singled up the middle. With two outs, a double to center field by Luke Feisal scored both runners for an 11-9 score. Eric Brenk reached on a single and advanced on a throwing error that allowed Feisal to come home from second and it was a one-run game at 11-10.
The Bulldogs were retired in order in the top of the ninth. Wofford led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk by Matthew Kaskow. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by James Foster, but was stranded after the final out.
Wofford starter Cash Collins lasted only one and a third innings and allowed eight runs on three hits, with six of the runs earned. Connell Anderson went 3.2 innings and recorded the first three strikeouts of his career while not allowing a run on three hits. Alex Wilson threw the final four innings and allowed three runs on five hits with five strikeouts.
Samford starter Charles Basford worked four innings and allowed six runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Andres Gracia threw a third of an inning and gave up one run on three hits. Joseph Burns (1-0) worked three innings and gave up two hits with three strikeouts. Tyler Vanderheiden went a third of an inning and allowed three runs on two hits. C.K. Kirby earned his fourth save of the season by going 1.1 innings and allowing only one hit with two strikeouts.
James Foster tied the school record for singles with a hit to lead off the game with his 183rd single. The home run for Konstantine Diamaduros was his third this season.
Wofford will complete the three-game series with Samford on Sunday afternoon at Russell C. King Field at 1:00 p.m. On Wednesday night, the Terriers will host UNC Asheville at 6:00 p.m.
