Box Score

Spartanburg, S.C. - McClain Bradley bounced a one-out, walk-off single through the left side of a crowded infield in the home half of the 11th inning to cap a five-run rally for Wofford as the Terriers claimed Thursday's series opener against Western Carolina, 6-5, at Russell C. King Field.

A lead-off walk by Alec Cargin to start what proved to be the final frame started the Terriers' game-winning rally. Following a strikeout, outfielder Colin Davis dribbled a single up the middle, pushing Cargin around to third. WCU played strategy, pulling right fielder Justice Bigbie in to the infield to attempt to strand the would-be game-winning run at third base.

However, with runners at second and third, Bradley bounced the ninth-pitch of his at bat just past a leaping Cameron Blaquiere at shortstop allowing the winning run to race in from third without a play.

Four Catamounts finished with multi-hit games including a three-hit performance Bigbie, who started outside the infield for the first time in his collegiate career. The Chesapeake, Va., native collected a pair of singles and a two-RBI double to lead the Catamounts offensively. Blaquiere doubled as a part of a 2-for-5 showing to extend his active hitting streak to eight, while senior Caleb Robinson and redshirt sophomore Justin Sparks both collected a pair of singles in 2-for-5 performances, Robinson driving in a run.

Also for WCU, senior Spencer Holcomb reached twice on a pair of walks, but saw his five-game hitting streak come to a close. Likewise, sophomore Luke Robinson saw his career-long, 10-game hitting streak halted in Thursday's loss, finishing 0-for-4 overall but reached on a HBP and laid down a sacrifice bunt. Robinson also blasted a shot to right center field in the top of the 11th that just missed putting WCU ahead.

Wofford's rally thwarted two solid pitching performances for the Catamounts. Redshirt freshman Chase Walter, who was pitching in front of many of his former Spartanburg Methodist teammates, limited the Terriers to a pair of earned runs, scattering six hits over six and a third innings. The Peachtree City, Ga., native worked around four walks with five strikeouts in factoring in the no-decision.

Freshman Zach Franklin (0-3), the third WCU hurler to toe the rubber, struck out six over four relief innings. He was saddled with the loss, surrendering one run on three hits with a pair of walks. In between, senior Jake Niezen was tagged for three earned runs after surrendering one hit and plunked a pair of batters.

Western Carolina (3-21, 1-3 SoCon) broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning, capitalizing on the first of three Terrier errors. Freshman Bryson Parks reached on the Wofford fielding error, later scoring from second base on the RBI single by Will Prater to take a 1-0 lead. An inning later, Caleb Robinson drove in his younger brother, Luke Robinson, before Matthew Koehler plated a run on a fielder's choice to stretch WCU's lead to three, 3-0.

In the top of the seventh, WCU tacked on two more runs as Blaquiere doubled ahead of Holcomb who reached on a walk. Two batters later, Bigbie laced a two-RBI double down the right field line to push the Catamounts ahead, 5-0.

However, Wofford (18-9, 2-2 SoCon) erased Western Carolina's lead in one frame, doing so on just three hits. A lead-off walk followed by consecutive RBI doubles put the Terriers on the board with the first two-base hit chasing Walter. Consecutive HBPs loaded the bases with just one out for the home squad before Brett Rodriguez lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to trim the deficit to two, 5-3.

With two outs in the inning, Max McDougald drove a two-run single into right field to push across the equalizing markers, ultimately forcing extra innings.

Bradley was one of two Terrier hitters with multiple hits in the win, finishing with two RBI in a 2-for-6 overall showing. Just behind him in the batting order, Mack Nathanson collected two doubles in a 2-for-4, one walk effort.

Wofford reliever Anthony Gracia (2-0) scored the victory after tallying the final out in the top of the 11th inning, working around a walk. But it was the 3.2 inning effort of reliever Jake Hershman that allowed for the Terrier rally, limiting WCU to just one hit with a pair of strikeouts in his time on the hill. Starter Austin Higginbotham was lifted after 6.1 innings, surrendering five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for a 6:00 pm first pitch on Friday evening. Fans can follow the game on the Catamount Sports Network with air time of 5:45 pm, with Wofford's broadcast on the SoCon Digital Network.