ROCK HILL, SC -- The Winthrop baseball team looks to get back on track with a pair of midweek non-conference games against Charlotte and Furman.
 
Winthrop is coming off a tough weekend in Radford where the Eagles were swept by the Highlanders in the three-game series.  Last time in action, the Eagles were in control for most of the game however, Radford pulled off a late-game rally in the eighth to overcome Winthrop and wrap up the weekend series sweep. 
 
The three straight losses at Radford drop Winthrop to 10-22 on the season and 2-7 in the Big South.  The Eagles now regroup and prepare for Tuesday's 6:00 p.m. ballgame against Charlotte at Robert & Mariam Hayes Stadium.  Charlotte comes into the game with a 19-12 record on the season and is coming off an extra inning win against UNC Asheville 8-7 Sunday afternoon.  Historically, Winthrop is 12-16-1 against the 49ers including pair of losses last season. 
 
The 49er hitters have been a terror for opposing pitchers as four players are hitting above .300 while as a team they are swinging the bat at a .291 clip and averaging almost six runs per game.  Charlotte is led at the plate by Justin Seager (.395 avg.), Shane Basen (.356 avg.), Brad Elwood (.311 avg.), and Brett Lang (.305 avg.).  Seager leads the team in most offensive categories including runs scored (30), extra-base hits (16), slugging percentage (.579), and on-base percentage (.496).  Charlotte is led on the mound by starters Brock Hudgen (2-0) and Tyler Barnette (3-1).  Reliever Hunter May has accumulated a 6-0 record and 2.34 ERA out of the bullpen as well.  Collectively, the Charlotte pitching staff maintains a 3.26 ERA while holding opponents to a .240 batting average.
 
After Tuesday's game in Charlotte, the Eagles return home for a 6:00 p.m. game on Wednesday night against Furman at The Winthrop Ballpark.  Furman is 18-13 on the season and 6-9 in the Southern Conference.  Last year when the teams met it Rock Hill, Winthrop bested the Paladins 5-2.  The Eagles are 19-2 all-time against Furman.
 
The Paladins are swinging the bat well this season with a .284 team batting while averaging over five runs per game.  Taylor Johnson (.333 avg.) leads the team with 32 runs batted in while Alex Abrams (.346 avg) and Hunter Burton (.301 avg.) each provide the team with strong offensive production as well.  Furman has shown solid power numbers this season with 58 doubles and 24 home runs as a team this season.  On the mound the Paladins are led by starters Nate Smith (4-1) and Jake Wolff (2-0) while as a staff Furman pitchers hold a 4.53 ERA and hold opposing hitters to a .270 batting average.  Furman pitchers also average over seven strikeouts per game.
 
The expected pitching matchups for the midweek games are:
 
@ Charlotte        4/9         Tuesday               6 p.m.       RHP Zach Sightler (0-0) vs. RHP Corey Roberts (0-0)
Furman              4/10       Wednesday          6 p.m.       RHP Steven Howell (0-0) vs. TBD
 
Both Winthrop hurlers will be making their first career start for the Eagles.
 
Both games can be heard on the Winthrop Sports Network via www.winthropeagles.com.  The ticket window at The Winthrop Ballpark will open an hour before the start of Wednesday's game.