Wofford Baseball Takes Down LIU for First NCAA Tournament Victory
In an electrifying game on Saturday, Wofford Baseball made history, earning their first win in an NCAA Tournament game and removing Long Island University (LIU) from the competition, 5-2, at the Chapel Hill Regional. Wofford, now boasting a 42-19 record, will face off at noon on Sunday at Boshamer Stadium against the loser of Saturday night’s game between the host team, North Carolina (43-13), and the defending national champ team, Louisiana State University (LSU) (41-21).
Wofford Shows Tremendous Resilience
Wofford’s victory came as a comfort amidst an emotional rollercoaster. They had suffered a disheartening 4-3 loss against LSU in the first game of this regional. Despite maintaining a 3-1 lead till the eighth inning, the Terriers saw LSU clinching victory with a walk-off home run in the ninth. This win not only keeps hopes high for the Terriers but also marks the end of LIU’s season, which culminates at a record of 33-25.
Terrier Players Shine
Successful performances by the Terriers were led by pitcher Zac Cowan, who threw an impressive six shutout innings, striking out six. LIU, against Cowan, left seven players in scoring position and was 0-for-7 in those situations. Champ Davis further secured the lead with three shutout innings of relief for the Terriers, earning him the save.
Moreover, Andrew Mannelly and Jack Renwick contributed significantly to the team’s success. Mannelly produced an RBI double and Renwick a sacrifice fly in a three-run sixth, leading Wofford to a 4-0 lead. Subsequently, Daniel Jackson extended the lead to 5-1 with a seventh-inning single.
Recognition for Wofford
The Terriers’ triumph in the Southern Conference tournament for the second time bagged them a No. 3 seed in the Chapel Hill Regional. It is important to note that the Terriers’ only previous NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2007, after claiming their first Southern Conference championship. They moved on to the Raleigh Regional but unfortunately lost to South Carolina and N.C. State.
Toole, a Record Setter
Wofford junior center fielder Marshall Toole extended his program record for stolen bases in a season. This led to the Terriers’ opening run. Toole stole second for his 43rd of the season after securing a single in the third inning. His tally currently ranks second across the nation and is just behind Justin Sierra of Fairleigh-Dickinson.
Interestingly, this year, Toole shattered the 1981 Wofford record of 39 set by Tim Renfrow. Currently, the Wofford career record for stolen bases is 96, held by senior shortstop Jack Renwick, a former standout at Dorman High School. Toole trails close behind with a career total of 82. These statistics show that the Terriers’ overall performance is something to reckon with as they rank seventh nationally with 147 stolen bases this season.
With the team’s resolve and players’ individual exploits, Wofford Baseball has restored its momentum in the NCAA Tournament. Terrier fans can now look forward to more thrilling matches as Wofford takes the next step in their journey. HERE News Network will continue to keep you updated with the latest happenings.
