ROCK HILL, SC – The Winthrop softball team split a non-conference doubleheader Saturday with the Towson Tigers, winning 12-5 before falling 3-1.

The Eagles and Tigers will complete their three-game series on Sunday starting at 10 a.m.  The game was moved up from its original start time of 1 p.m. due to weather concerns.

Winthrop struck first against Towson in the bottom of the first as senior McKenzie Corn knocked her first homerun of the season of the left field fence to put the Eagles up 2-0.

Winthrop's bats continued to pound the ball in the bottom of the second as the Eagles batted around the order plus three more as Winthrop put up nine runs in the bottom of the second.  The inning was highlighted by two homeruns, a grand slam from Mel Andrea, her fourth of the season and a two-run shot from Maddie Antone, her third of the year.

The Eagles looked primed to close out the game after five innings with an 11-1 lead, but Towson fought back against relief pitcher Sutton Watson.  The Tigers put up four runs on three hits and one Eagle error to get within 11-5 and extend the game.  Winthrop didn't allow another run and Antone added another RBI in the bottom of the fifth as the Eagles took the first game 12-5.

Sara Allen picked up the victory for the Eagles, pitching 6.1 innings.  She allowed one run on three hits and struck out five.  Antone finished 3-for-3 at the plate with three RBI.  Andrea went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in.  Corn knocked in three runs as well while going 3-for-3.

The second game of the afternoon was a pitcher's duel.  Towson got on the board in the top of the first with an unearned run.  Winthrop threatened in the bottom of the third and fourth, each inning getting two runners on with one out but were unable to get anyone across home plate.

Towson put up two insurance runs in the top of the sixth on two hits.  The Tigers threatened for more, but left two runners on base.  Antone got the bottom of the seventh off to a good start for the Eagles, knocking her second homerun of the day and her fourth of the game to get Winthrop back within 3-1.  The Eagles got one more runner on, but couldn't score.

Bradlee Holeman took the loss for the Eagles, pitching 5.1 innings and giving up three runs on four hits as her record falls to 1-1.  Zharne Glover and Alex White each recorded two hits for the Eagles while Antone had the sole RBI