Box Score Box Score

ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop baseball team fell 3-0 to the ninth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at Foley Field.

The Eagles record falls to 0-7 overall, while the Bulldogs improve to 7-0 on the season.

Preston Johnson (0-1), despite taking the loss on the mound, tossed a career-high 5.0 innings and gave up two runs on six hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Taylor Hicks (2-0) earned the win pitching 6.0 scoreless innings and surrendered two hits, no walks and six strikeouts.

Winthrop managed just three hits in the contest against Georgia, two of which came in the top of the fifth inning beginning when Matt Lobacz doubled to right field off Hicks to start the inning. He was later called out on runner interference after colliding with Bulldog third baseman Curt Powell on an infield single by Justin Hopper. The Eagles were not able to score in the inning or in the top of the ninth when Chad Smith started the inning with a leadoff walk and Patrick McLendon singled to center field.

Georgia took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single to center field by Kyle Farmer which drove home Peter Verdin from second base. Verdin recorded a two-out single to center field and advanced to second when Levin Hyams also singled.

The Bulldogs plated two runs in the sixth inning to extend their lead over Winthrop to 3-0. Hunter Cole highlighted the inning with his leadoff home run to left center field, and Powell drove in Colby May with an RBI single. May singled in his at-bat two batters after the homer by Cole and went to second when Conor Welton drew a walk.

Lobacz, Hopper and McLendon had one hit each for the Eagles. Powell went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Georgia offensively, and was one of three players with one RBI.

Winthrop will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when hosts the Charlotte 49ers at 4 p.m.