GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — Andrew Buffkin pitched five strong innings and the Citadel Bulldogs built an early lead that withstood a five-run Wofford first inning to defeat the Terriers 13-7 on Wednesday evening at Fluor Field at the West End.

Buffkin, the game’s top star, allowed two earned runs while striking out eight over five innings. He did not surrender a hit in the outing, his third consecutive start of at least five innings with two or fewer earned runs. Andrew Bowers followed with four innings of one-run relief, striking out three and allowing no hits.

The Bulldogs, now 32-24 overall and winners of four straight, jumped on Wofford starting pitcher Branton Little from the outset. A five-run first inning began with a double by Tobin and a walk to Williams. After an out, Michael Gibson singled through the left side to drive in Tobin. Christian Stratis then reached on a sacrifice bunt that turned into a two-base throwing error by Wofford first baseman Zach Hunt, allowing Williams to score and Gibson to advance to third. Hunt’s subsequent fielder’s choice groundout brought home Gibson. Dansky followed with a two-run double that scored Stratis and Hunt, and Daniels singled to right for an unearned run that made it 5-0.

Wofford, now 34-21, answered immediately in the bottom of the first. A pair of two-out doubles from Harding and Manning, aided by a throwing error from Citadel third baseman Dansky, keyed a five-run rally. Tanner Hardin’s bases-clearing double to right center scored three unearned runs and tied the game 5-5.

The game remained deadlocked until the fourth inning. Citadel sent eight batters to the plate, capitalizing on walks to Williams and Anderson. After a flyout advanced both runners, Stratis lined a two-run single through the right side to put the Bulldogs ahead 7-5. That ended the afternoon for Wofford starter Branton Little, who allowed eight hits and four earned runs over 5 2-3 innings while striking out four.

Wofford trimmed the lead to 7-6 in the bottom of the fourth on Collins’ RBI single, but Buffkin and the Citadel defense limited further damage. The Bulldogs added two more runs in the sixth on Gibson’s RBI single and a run-scoring groundout by Hunt, making it 9-6. Citadel padded the lead in the eighth when Gibson singled home Anderson, and in the ninth when Patel singled home Hunt.

Wofford’s Ben Timblin hit his 16th home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth, a solo shot to left field, but Bowers retired the side without further damage.

Gibson led the Citadel offense with three hits and three RBIs. Stratis drove in three runs despite only one hit, and Anderson had two hits. Hardin was the top performer for Wofford, going 2 for 4 with three RBIs.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Citadel 8, Wofford 4, while the Interstat ELO system gave Wofford a 63.50 percent probability to win.