Box Score

CLINTON, SC—A four-run fourth opened up a close game as Winthrop suffered a 6-1 loss at Presbyterian College, Saturday afternoon in Big South Conference softball action.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth, the Blue Hose got two big hits that led to four runs and a comfortable 5-1 lead.

The Eagles drop their sixth straight as they are now 13-27 on the year and 2-10 in the league. Presbyterian College improves to 13-20 overall and 5-5 in the league.

Natalie Becker recorded a pop out at short to start the fourth inning, but then issued a walk to Mary Ellen Morris. That was followed by a single to short by Tricia Hood before Jill McLean singled to the left side to load the bases. Tera Powell came through with a shot to right center, scoring Morris and Hood for a 3-1 lead as McLean and Powell stood at first and second. After a ground out to short advanced the runners, Shelby Petik came through with a two-out double to right center, scoring two more runs for the 5-1 lead.

Winthrop fell behind in the second when Rachel Hopper hit a two-out home run to center. After not recording a hit in the first three innings, Winthrop was able to tie it up in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Kelly Blea. McKenzi Corn singled to center and moved over to second on a sacrifice from Kathryn Eberlin. Chelsey Schoenfeldt followed with a double to center to put runners and second and third. Then Blea came through with the RBI.

Winthrop tried to respond to PC's big inning in the fifth as Kristy Noble reached after being plunked and Jenna Harbin reached on a fielder's choice with an error by Leslie Hensley allowed Noble to reach second. This brought up Megan Chapman with one out, but her grounder was fielded by the third baseman, who tagged Noble and beat Chapman to first with the throw for an inning-ending double play.

PC added one more run in the fifth when Powell singled to left with two outs, scoring Morris who had reached on a walk.

The Eagles didn't go down without a fight as they tried to make something happen in the top of the seventh inning. Alex White started it off with a single down the left field line and moved to second on a single by Noble through the hole at short. Jenna Harbin hit into a fielder's choice as White was out at third as Chapman came up and singled to the pitcher to load the bases. That set up a good opportunity for the Eagles with Corn and Schoenfeldt coming up. Corn ended up flying out to left and Schoenfeldt didn't get an opportunity as Noble was called for leaving third early on the fly ball and that ended the game.

Becker suffered the loss in the circle as she allowed five runs on six hits with four walks as she's now 7-12 on the year. Schoenfeldt allowed one run on four hits with a walk in two innings of relief.

Chapman has started to swing the bat better since returning from injury and now has a four-game hitting streak. Corn scored the only run of the game and has now hit safely in three straight games.

The Eagles will step away from conference action as they will host Western Carolina for a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 11 at 4 p.m.