Box Score JACKSONVILLE, FL--Winthrop erupted for four runs in the eighth inning and went on to defeat Jacksonville 4-1 in the opener of a three-game weekend series at Sessions Stadium on Friday night.

Winthrop improves to 6-3 on the season as it won for the third straight game. Jacksonville falls to 1-7. The Dolphins now lead the all-time series with the Eagles, 4-2.

Sam Kmiec pitched eight masterful innings allowing one run and five hits to earn his first victory of the year while closer Jason Driver held the Dolphins in check in the ninth inning to collect his first save.

Winthrop was unable to get anything started in the first seven innings as JU starting pitcher Josh Baker allowed three hits while blanking the Eagles. But he was relieved after seven innings and Winthrop was able to touch up Dolphin reliever Ryan Quintero who got the first out of the inning before giving up back-to-back singles by Kyle Edwards and Chad Smith. Adam Maxon was then brought on the pitch and gave up a walk to Brad Kaczka to load the bases. Edwards came home to tie the game on a fielders choice ground out by Leighton Daniels. TJ Olesczxuk, who entered the game hitting .500, then delivered a key two-run double to make it a 3-1 game. Babe Thomas followed with a RBI single to close out the scoring.

Kmiec pitched the bottom of the eighth before giving way to Driver. Quintero suffered the loss, his first of the season.

Thomas led Winthrop at the plate with two of the team's seven hits. Stephen Wallace had the other extra base hit with a two-out double in the second.

Winthrop and Jacksonville will be back in action on Saturday at 2 .p.m. and are scheduled to close out the series with a 1 p.m. game on Sunday.