SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — The Wofford Terriers erupted for 11 runs in a chaotic bottom of the sixth inning, turning a narrow deficit into a rout and defeating the Mercyhurst Lakers 12-2 in the season opener for both teams Friday at Cleveland S. Harley Baseball Park.

The game, played on Feb. 13, 2026, was a pitcher’s duel for five innings before completely unraveling for the visiting Lakers. Mercyhurst pitchers issued walks, hit batters, committed balks and fielding errors, and allowed a passed ball during the decisive frame, which saw 18 Terriers come to the plate.

Mercyhurst had built a 2-0 lead through three innings. The Lakers scored an unearned run in the second after a strikeout and a catcher’s error, with Mike Samarin driving in Derrick Holm. Dana William added a solo home run in the third.

Wofford scratched across a single run in the third on a bases-loaded walk by Cade Collins, but the Terriers left the bases loaded and trailed 2-1 entering the sixth. The complexion of the game changed instantly in the bottom half.

Andrew Mannelly and Raul Feliz were both hit by pitches to start the inning. After a pitching change brought in Nate Vargo for Mercyhurst, a fielding error by the pitcher loaded the bases. A passed ball allowed Mannelly to score the tying run, and a balk by Vargo brought in Lucas Manning, who was pinch-running for Feliz, to give Wofford a 3-2 lead.

The floodgates then opened. Brini delivered a two-run single, Keeton Burroughs added an RBI single, and another balk brought home a run. James Layman lifted a sacrifice fly before Manning, who stayed in the game, knocked an RBI single. A second error by the Mercyhurst shortstop extended the inning, leading to a two-run double from Brini that capped the 11-run outburst. Only four of the 12 runs Wofford scored in the game were earned.

Wofford’s 10-hit attack was led by Brini, who had two hits, including the key double, and four RBIs. Burroughs had two hits, an RBI, two stolen bases and scored twice. Manning, after entering as a pinch-runner, scored twice and drove in a run. The Terriers capitalized on four Mercyhurst errors, five walks, three hit batters, three balks and a passed ball.

Mercyhurst managed only four hits, with Logan Koslin collecting two singles. William’s home run accounted for the only earned run against Wofford starter Kenny Michaels and reliever Champ Davis, who combined for 10 strikeouts.

The win gives Wofford a 1-0 start to the season, while Mercyhurst begins 0-1. The two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Wofford entered the contest with a 76 percent probability to win.