Box Score

ROCK HILL, SC -- The Winthrop baseball team made some noise in the first but were quieted the remainder of the game as Rhode Island topped the Eagles 4-2 in game two of the weekend series Saturday afternoon at The Winthrop Ballpark.
 
The Eagles failed to built off a two-run first inning highlighted by a two-run in-the-park home run by sophomore right fielder Jace Whitley as Rhode Island pitching shut out Winthrop in the final eight innings. 
 
Rhode Island hurler Sean Furney (1-2) collected his first win of the season as he pitched eight strong innings allowing two runs on five hits and striking out five.
 
The loss drops Winthrop to 5-13 on the 2013 season while Rhode Island ups its record to 5-11.  Winthrop looks to bounce back in the series finale against the Rams Sunday at 1 p.m. at The Winthrop Ballpark.
 
Eagles' freshman starter Sam Kmiec (0-3) breezed his way through three innings of no-hit baseball, however, the Rams turned it on the second time through the batting order.  Leadoff hitter Tim Caputo started the fourth off with a double down the left field line and was brought around to score on an RBI single by Mike LeBel.  Pat Quinn followed with a single to right field advancing Lebel to third.  With runners on first and third, Kmiec attempted a pick-off play at first base, however as the play developed, LeBel alertly raced home giving the Rams tying the game at 2-2.  An RBI double by Kevin Stenhouse would score the go-ahead run, and what proved to be the winning run, giving Rhode Island a 3-2 advantage.
 
In the sixth, the Rams extended their lead on a RBI single by Stenhouse scoring LeBel who had singled earlier in the inning.

Eagles reliever Mitchell Knox would not allow Rhode Island to extend its lead any further as he pitched 3.1 strong innings of scoreless relief giving the Winthrop offense the opportunity to battle back. 

Winthrop threatened in the bottom of the ninth with runners on second and third with one out, however back-to-back strike outs would leave the runners stranded locking up the victory for the Rams. 

Winthrop head coach Tom Riginos talked about his team's effort after the game.  “Pitching is keeping us in the ballgame.  We just can't go quiet in innings two through nine.”
 
Despite the limited offensive output for Winthrop, the designated hitter Max Vogel swung the bat well for the Eagles on Saturday going two for three with a pair of singles.
 
Right-hand pitcher Tyler Klitsch (1-2) is expected to get the ball for the Eagles in Sunday's matchup while Rhode Island's starter has not yet been determined.
 
The ticket window at The Winthrop Ballpark will be opens an hour before game time.