Wofford 7, USC Upstate 3
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Konstantine Diamaduros had five RBIs including four on a game winning grand slam walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning to propel Wofford to a 7-3 victory over visiting USC Upstate on Thursday night at Russell C. King Field. Each team matched the other on the scoreboard in the same three innings with Wofford delivering the final blow in the ninth with four runs. The Terriers improve to 3-3 overall while the Spartans fall to 2-3.
In the first three first three innings neither teams could get the bats rolling as starting pitchers Scott Summers for the Terriers and Matt Branham kept both team’s hitters in check. Summers only allowed two runners to reach base while striking out three. Branham matched Summers by only allowing three base runners along with striking out three.
USC Upstate opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Phillip Morgan reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to third on a one out double by Austin Moyer to put runners at second and third. Jeff Medley then grounded out to shortstop driving in an RBI to give the Spartans a one run lead. However, the Terriers responded in the bottom of the fourth with two runs of their own. Michael Gilmartin singled to left and advanced to third on a well executed hit and run single by Kyle Behrendt leaving runners on the corners. Both runners would then score after singles by Diamaduros and Mac Doyle to give the Terriers a 2-1 advantage heading to the fifth.
Like the first three innings, solid pitching left the score at 2-1 heading into the seventh inning where both teams struck again. Kyle Simpson singled after Brian Dempsey reached on an error to give the Spartans two on with one out following a strike out by Tommy Shovlin. Blake green then singled to drive in Dempsey to knot the score at two. Terrier’s reliever Bobby Streisel then came in relief to bail the Terriers out of a jam leaving two Spartans on base ending the inning. As they did in the fourth inning Wofford answered right back. Neil Robinette singled to open the inning and was replaced by Bo Brandt to pitch run. Brandt would later score on a double by Alex Lee giving the Terriers a 3-2 lead heading into the eighth.
The Spartans would even things at three in the top half of the ninth when Simpson scored on a double to right field by Eric Guillen. Terrier pitcher Gilmartin would then get a ground out and two strikeouts to end the inning. With the score tied at three, Josh McKinney drew a walk and advanced to third on a single by Gilmartin. Behrendt was then put on first by an intentional walk to load the bases. Jake Williams stuck out swinging giving the Spartans two outs which set the stage for Diamaduros. Diamaduros took the first pitch he saw and sent it into the train tracks in right field for a walk-off grand slam homerun giving the Terriers a 7-3 victory.
The Terriers were led at the plate by Diamaduros, Gilmartin and Doyle who all tallied two hits each. Diamaduros led the way in RBIs with five while Lee added one as did Doyle. Simpson led the way with two hits for the Spartans.
Gilmartin picked his first win of the year for the Terriers going one and one third innings allowing one run on one hit and striking out three. Tyler Oliver took the loss for the Spartans and stands at 0-1 on the year.
Starting pitcher for the Terriers Summers earned a no decision going six and two thirds innings giving up two runs, one earned, five hits, striking out seven and only walking one batter. Branham also earned a no decision for the Spartans as he went six and one third innings surrendering seven hits, three earned runs along with striking out six and walking three.
The Terriers return to the diamond on Friday at 2 p.m. as they start a four game home stand against defending A-10 champion Xavier.
Florida Gulf Coast 10, Samford 4
FORT MYERS, Fla.?The Samford baseball team opened the Florida Gulf Coast Classic by falling to the host Florida Gulf Coast Eagles by a score of 10-4 Thursday afternoon.
Samford was led at the plate by Wayne Miller, going 2-for-4. Mason Meredeth drove in two runs, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Brad Moss hit a solo home run for Samford in a 1-for-3 performance.
Michael Jarry started the game on the mound for Samford, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up five runs on 10 hits to take the loss. Kyle Putkonen, Joshua VanFleteren and Tyler Vanderheiden each appeared in relief for the Bulldogs.
For FGCU, Robert Greene went 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Mikel Alvarez was also 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Eagles. Josh Upchurch, Steven Wickens, Tim Roberson and Josh Chester had two hits each for FGCU.
Pete Woodward pitched 7.0 innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits and striking out seven batters to earn the win. Derek Shaw pitched the final 2.0 innings for the Eagles.
Samford jumped on top early, plating one run in the first inning and two in the third to take an early 3-0 lead. In the first inning, Miller led the inning off with a single. After stealing second base, Miller moved to third when Michael Johnson grounded out to second base. Miller then scored when Meredeth grounded out to shortstop for a 1-0 Samford lead.
Moss led the third inning off with a solo home run to make the score 2-0. Johnson then struck out swinging, but reached base on a passed ball. After advancing to third base on a single by Meredeth, Johnson scored from third when David Schulze reached base on an FGCU error for a 3-0 Samford lead.
After the Eagles plated a run in the third inning and another in the fourth to cut the Samford lead to 3-2, Samford added another run in the top of the fifth inning to push its lead to 4-2.
Florida Gulf Coast then took control of the game with three runs in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth to take a 9-4 lead. In the fifth inning, Greene, Roberson and Chester drove in a run each. In the sixth inning, Chester drove in two runs, while Roberson and Alvarez had one RBI each.
The Eagles added one final run in the bottom of the eighth inning to make the final score 10-4.
Samford drops to 2-2 with the loss, while FGCU improves to 2-3.
Samford will continue play in the FGCU Classic on Friday when the Bulldogs take on South Florida at 11 a.m.