GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Samford University baseball team advanced in the Southern Conference Tournament by earning a 12-7 win over Wofford Friday afternoon at Fluor Field.
 
With the win, Samford improved its season record to 29-25, while Wofford fell to 33-26. The second-seeded Bulldogs advance to play top-seeded ETSU in Saturday's semifinal round.
 
For Samford in the win, Miller Riggins (5-2) pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out five batters to earn the win on the mound for Samford. John Whitney, Josh Leerssen and Evan Steckmesser also saw time on the mound for Samford.
 
At the plate, Samford was led by Cade Carr, going 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI and Jake Souders, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Michael Gupton went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Matthew Strand also went 2-for-4. Parker McDonald homered, going 1-for-4 with three RBI.
 
"It started with Riggins on the mound, he was great again, he was great here last year, and he's been really good for us down the stretch," Samford head coach Tony David said. "Parker got the big blast with the three-run shot in the first and Riggins backed it up with several zeros after that and then we put together the big inning to kind of pull away, however briefly."
 
For Wofford, Niko Brini went 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Tyler Hare homered, going 1-for-5 with one RBI. Branton Little (4-8) pitched 4.1 innings, allowing eight runs on six hits to take the loss on the mound for the Terriers.
 
Samford got off to a fast start, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs in the inning, Carr was hit by a pitch and Souders singled. McDonald then hit a three-run home run over the Green Monster in left field for a 3-0 Samford lead.
 
After Wofford plated a run in the top of the fifth inning to cut the lead to 3-1, Samford came back with eight runs in the bottom of the fifth to push the lead to 11-1. With the bases loaded, Carr hit a bases-clearing triple to make the score 6-1. Souders then had an RBI single and Gupton and Angelo Prieto drove in two runs each later in the inning to make the score 11-1.
 
In the top of the sixth inning, Wofford plated six runs to cut the lead to 11-7. Tanner Hardin and Andrew Mannelly drove in a run each, Hardin scored on a wild pitch and Brini hit a three-run double to bring Wofford to within four runs.
 
Samford plated one final run in the eighth inning. With one out in the inning, Jackson Harris doubled and went to third base on an error. After Carr walked, Souders singled to drive in Harris to make the final score 12-7.
 
The first pitch for Saturday's game against ETSU is set for 11 a.m. (CT) from Fluor Field. The game can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will also be available. Fans can follow every tournament game at the following link: SOCON TOURNAMENT CENTRAL.


 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).