CLINTON, S.C. ?The Presbyterian College baseball team battled with Wofford through all nine innings but came up just short against the Terriers. With the score tied 7-7 heading into the ninth inning, Wofford plated two runs in the top of the inning to take a 9-7 lead and was able to hang on for the win.
In a game that featured seven homeruns and 25 hits between the two teams, Cory Lyda and Kenny Bryant led PC with two hits apiece. Jesse Harmon (Newberry, S.C./Newberry) and Zac Rhinesmith (Acworth, Ga./Young Harris College) each homered for the Blue Hose. Wofford had four players with two hits, and Neil Robinette led all batters with four hits. Micah Black (Iva, S.C./Prince Avenue Prep.) takes the loss for PC as the Blue Hose fall to 8-29 on the year while the Terriers advance to 17-18.
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Kenny Bryant (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek) started the second inning with a walk for PC and, after advancing to second base, was driven in by Nate Horton's (Spartanburg, S.C./Byrnes) single to center field. With two runners on the Blue Hose were unable to bring in any more runs, but took a 1-0 lead into the third inning.
Wofford answered in the third inning, bringing in one run off of a lead-off triple. PC's defense, however, was able to hold and forced a groundout to end the inning. The Blue Hose threatened in the bottom of the inning with runners on first and second, but the score remained tied at 1-1 heading into the fourth.
Mac Doyle opened the inning with a solo homerun for the Terriers, giving Wofford a 2-1 lead. With runners in scoring position and two outs, Gabe Grammer (Irmo, S.C./Irmo) then made a diving catch in right field to get PC out of the inning.
At the plate, Grammer again came through for PC, driving a single to center field with two outs and then advanced on a single by Williams (Augusta, Ga./Aquinas). Harmon drove both runners in with a three run homer to put the Blue Hose up 4-2.
Wofford opened the fifth inning with two home runs to bring the score to 5-4 in favor of the Terriers. Pitcher Jordan Pace (Charleston, S.C./James Island) then entered the game for the Blue Hose and retired three straight batters, forcing two fly-outs and ending with a strikeout. Rhinesmith answered with a home run, PC's second of the game, to tie the score at 5-5 at the end of the fifth.
To start the sixth inning Wofford's Roney hit a solo home run, but Pace struck out the next two batters and forced a fly out to center to end the Terrier's at-bat. PC loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, and Kenny Bryant hit a single that scored two runs to put the Blue Hose back on top at 7-6.
After a scoreless seventh inning for both teams, Wofford again homered to tie the score at 7-7 in the top of the eighth, and the score would remain tied heading into the ninth inning.
Wofford's Jake Williams hit his second home run of the game to put the Terriers back on top, and with two outs another home run extended the lead to 9-7, and PC was unable to answer in the bottom of the ninth, giving Wofford the win.
The Blue Hose are back in action tomorrow when they travel to Spartanburg, S.C. for the second game in the series against Wofford. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
