ATHENS, GA-- Sophomore Hilary Peacock hit a three-run homer in the top of the seventh to help Winthrop capture its first victory of the season with a 5-1 win against Appalachian State in the consolation game of the Georgia Softball Classic Sunday afternoon.
Winthrop entered the seventh inning with a 2-1 lead as Appalachian State made a pitching change to start the inning. Janiva Willis led off with a walk and with two outs Laura Hill singled to center to put runners at first and second. Peacock followed with her first homerun of the season down the left field line.
Kelli Johnson held the Mountaineers offense in check by allowing an earned run on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts and no extra-base hits. She is now 1-2 on the season.
Winthrop (1-4) got on the board first in the top of the fifth inning. Stephanie Turney led off the inning with a double and eventually scored on a Willis single to left. Appalachian State (3-7) answered in the bottom half of the fifth. After the lead-off hitter reached on an error, Natalie Willis drove in the only run for the Mountaineers on a single to center field.
The Lady Eagles responded in the top of the sixth as Hill led off with a double to right and eventually scored on a Jenny Scrymgeour single for the go ahead run.
Janiva Willis and Hill each had two hits. Hill scored twice and Willis drove in a run.
The Lady Eagles will return to action on Wednesday at 2 p.m. when they take on Limestone in their home opener.
