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ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop baseball team will return to The Winthrop Ballpark on Tuesday evening for a midweek matchup with the Charlotte 49ers. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Eagles enter the contest 0-7 on the season dropping games against two top 10 teams in Georgia Tech and Georgia, while also falling to Kent State and Western Carolina. The 49ers are currently 5-2 overall with wins over Saint Peter's and Toledo, and post a 0-1 record on the road. They are also 0-1 this season against Big South schools, falling 12-5 at High Point on Feb. 21.
Charlotte leads the all-time series over Winthrop 14-12-1, but the Eagles hold an 8-5-1 advantage in games played in Rock Hill. The 49ers the last two meetings in the series dating back to the 2010 season, including a 4-3 win in Rock Hill last season. Winthrop last won 7-2 in Charlotte back in 2009.
TJ Olesczuk and
Justin Hopper both have .250 averages at the plate to lead the Eagle offense, while
Matt Lobacz has five RBI and
Patrick Gamblin with one home run.
Preston Johnson tops Winthrop starting pitchers with a 3.86 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched, and
Michael Gilroy leads all pitchers with a 0.00 ERA in five relief appearances. He has allowed just one hit in 6.2 innings this season with three walks and six strikeouts.
The 49ers are led by head coach Loren Hibbs, who is currently in his 20
th season with the program. He currently holds a 616-457-3 overall and at Charlotte. The 49ers are led offensively by J.J. Elseser with a .429 average, while Shane Basen has a team-high five RBI and Ross Steedley's two home runs are tops on the team. Shane Brown is a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen bases.
The Eagles will start
Josh Strong against Charlotte, while the 49ers will go with Joe Yermal. Yermal enters the games with a 0-1 record and 4.50 ERA in one start, while Strong is 0-0 with a 9.53 ERA in three relief appearances. Strong will be making his first collegiate start at Winthrop.