TAMPA, FL— The Winthrop softball team dropped two games at the opening day of the USF The Game Tournament falling to Florida Gulf Coast and Quinnipiac Friday evening.
Winthrop (6-16) dropped the first game of the day 4-2 before falling 6-0 at the hands of Quinnipiac.
FGCU scored two runs in the top of the first for the early lead as Jessica Barnes delivered a single to second, scoring Courtney Platt and Brittney Garabedian on the play. It was the first time in nine games that Winthrop had allowed a run in the first inning.
Winthrop missed an opportunity in the second inning as it left the bases loaded. Brittany Stoudemire reached on an error to lead off the inning and moved over to second on a fielder's choice that allowed both runners to be safe. Kelly Blea hit a grounder that led to Stoudemire being out at third on the force out, so there were still runners at first and second with one out. Jenna Harbin followed with a single to short to load the bases. But then Taylor Wright and McKenzie Corn each grounded into force outs to the pitcher, who threw Ashleigh Jackson and Blea out at home.
The lead increased to 3-0 in the top of the third inning when Lindsey Green came through with a two-out RBI double to center, scoring Emily Lanier after she reached on a single and scored all the way from first.
Platt added an insurance run in the top of the sixth as she singled to right center, to score pinch-runner Chelsea Yates.
Winthrop tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning as it posted two runs and ruined the shutout bid from FGCU pitcher Catherine McDaniel. Harbin singled to left field with one out and stole second. Wright walked and then two batters later Megan Chapman came through with a two-run single to short and moved to second base on an error. But that was all the Eagles would get.
McDaniel held Winthrop in check most of the game as she allowed two runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Chelsey Schoenfeldt tossed five innings allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts as she falls to 1-4 on the year.
Stats and details for the Quinnipiac game were not available.
Winthrop remains at the USF The Game Tournament and will take on Jacksonville at 5:30 p.m. and Boston at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
