Box Score

ROCK HILL, SC -- Winthrop failed to find its groove offensively as Rhode Island topped the Eagles 2-1 to complete the series sweep Sunday afternoon at The Winthrop Ballpark.
 
Rams' freshman starter Steve Moyer (2-0) dazzled as he shut out the Eagles through seven innings allowing just one hit and striking out six.  Moyer received all the offensive support he needed in the fifth when Rhode Island scored two unearned runs on RBI hits Chris Famiglietti and Jeff Roy. 
 
The Eagles cut the lead in half in the eighth on an RBI fielder's choice by Kyle Edwards scoring Stephen Wallace.  Winthrop had the opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded however, the late game rally once again came up short as Rams closer Bobby Dean left all the runners stranded for his second save of the season and securing the victory for Rhode Island. 
 
The Eagles third straight loss drops them to 5-14 on the season while Rhode Island heads home with a 6-11 record.
 
The Rams' pitching staff limited Winthrop to one run on four hits however, the Eagles remained in the game due to strong pitching efforts by Tyler Klitsch (1-3), Joey Strain, and Eric Ruth.   Klitsch kept the game close while pitching 5.2 innings and only allowing two unearned runs on five hits.  In relief of Klitsch, Strain and Ruth combined for 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball.
 
“In almost every game we have lost this season, we have put ourselves in a position to win,” Winthrop head coach Tom Riginos stated after the game.  “We just have to get over that hump.”
 
Winthrop returns to action on Wednesday when East Tennessee State comes to town for a 6:00 p.m. contest.  The Eagles' last win came against the Buccaneers when Winthrop traveled to Johnson City, TN last week beating ETSU 2-1.