BOILING SPRINGS – Wofford scored three runs in the top of the ninth to go in front and Gardner-Webb couldn't bounce back in an 11-10 loss to the Terriers Saturday to even the series.
The Terriers (1-1) used three big innings for the majority of their offensive production, plating three runs each in the first, the fifth and the ninth.
Gardner-Webb (1-1) pushed two runs across in the eighth inning to go up 10-8, but Wofford was able to get to closer
Langdon Wilson in the top of the ninth.
After Wilson came out strong with a strikeout, Matty Brown slice a single through the right side to bring the tying run to the plate. A ground ball out moved Brown to second and Gardner-Webb was on the verge of a series-clinching win.
Shane Lussier coaxed a walk, then paired with Brown on a double steal to put the tying run in scoring position. Jack Renwick slapped a ground ball just down the line at third, which easily plated Brown – but a throw to first allowed Lussier to gain steam and an errant throw home allowed the Terriers to tie the game.
Lawson Hill followed with a sharp double to right that plated Renwick for the go-ahead run.
Gardner-Webb had hope with the top of its order coming to the plate in the ninth, but Wofford reliever Clay Schwaner struck out the side to end the game.
Wofford finished the game with 13 hits and four errors. Renwick came off the bench to collect a pair of big hits, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. Colin Davis (3-for-4, 2B, 3B, HR) finished a single shy of the cycle and Lussier went 3-for-3.
Schwaner worked 1.2 innings for the win, allowing an unearned run and walking one with his three strikeouts. Josh Vitus was tagged for six earned runs and 10 hits in 4.2 innings of work as the starter. Matthew Marchal worked 2.2 innings of relief and allowed one earned run on six hits.
Gardner-Webb rapped out 16 hits and had three fielding errors on the day.
Cam Pearcey (3-for-6, 2 RBI),
Joe Simone (3-for-4, 2B),
Keiji Parkhurst (2-for-5, RBI) and
Eric Jones (3-for-5, RBI) led the way.
Ben LaSpaluto (1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) had a three-run home run to give Gardner-Webb an 8-7 lead after the fifth.
GWU starter
Isaac Campbell worked 4.1 innings and scattered six hits with four earned runs allowed. He walked three and struck out three. Sebasten Boiven allowed two unearned runs in relief and
Lenny Washington fanned a pair in 2.1 innings of work, allowing one earned run.
Tyler Harrison and
Kyle Skidmore worked the eighth before giving way to Wilson in the ninth.
Wilson (0-1) took the loss, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) in 1.0 inning of work. He fanned a pair and walked one.
Saturday's game lasted a grueling four hours and seven minutes.
The two teams will get together again on Sunday, playing the rubber match in Spartanburg, S.C. The game will begin at 3:00 pm at Russell C. King Stadium.
