NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Despite jumping out to an early four-run lead, the Belmont Bruins fell to the Wofford Terriers 11-8 in the opening game of the weekend series Friday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park.
Belmont totaled 12 hits and built a 4-0 lead in the first inning, but Wofford responded with multiple big innings to take the series opener. Belmont wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. Charlie Davis opened the frame with a double to center field before advancing to third on a sacrifice fly by Landon Godsey. Cavan McMeans followed with an RBI single to bring Davis home and give the Bruins an early lead. After Brody Langlotz moved McMeans to third with a groundout, Jake Maddox delivered an RBI single to make it 2-0. JD Whitworth then capped the inning with a two-run home run, pushing the Bruins ahead 4-0 after the first.
Wofford cut into the lead in the fourth inning with a three-run rally highlighted by a two-run double from Campi and a sacrifice fly that brought the Terriers within one run at 4-3. The Terriers tied the game in the fifth inning on an RBI walk before Belmont answered in the bottom half. McMeans delivered again with an RBI single to give the Bruins a 5-4 advantage heading into the sixth. Wofford broke the game open in the sixth inning, scoring five runs on three hits and capitalizing on defensive miscues to take a 9-5 lead. The rally included a two-run play by Brini and a two-run single from Mannelly. The Terriers added another run in the seventh to extend their advantage to 10-5.
Belmont mounted a rally in the seventh inning to cut the deficit. After a walk to Davis and a double by McMeans, Langlotz lined a two-run double to right field to make it 10-7. Maddox followed with an RBI single, bringing the Bruins within 10-8. However, Wofford added an insurance run on a solo home run by Mannelly in the eighth inning, and the Bruins were unable to push across any additional runs in the final two frames.
Belmont recorded 12 hits in the contest, led by several strong offensive performances.
Cavan McMeans paced the Bruins with a 3-for-5 performance, scoring twice and driving in two runs.
Jake Maddox also collected three hits, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Brody Langlotz added two RBIs, while JD Whitworth's first-inning two-run home run provided an early spark for Belmont.
Tate Marland started for Belmont and worked 3.1 innings, allowing three runs while striking out two.
The Bruins utilized several relievers throughout the game, with Andrew Perry taking the loss after pitching 2.2 innings.
Up Next
Belmont will look to bounce back in game two of the series against Wofford on Saturday at 4:00 pm from E.S. Rose Park.
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