Box Score ROCK HILL, SC- Josh Strong pitched a complete game to help the No. 2 Eagles pick up a 3-2 win over No. 6 Coastal Carolina in game seven of the 2014 Big South Baseball Championship on Thursday afternoon at The Winthrop Ballpark. With the win, the Eagles improve to 26-32, while Coastal Carolina falls to 24-32.

Strong, a junior southpaw from Orlando, FL, improved his record to 2-5, giving up two runs on seven hits with two strikeouts, while Austin Kerr took the loss for Coastal Carolina and falls to 2-3 on the year.

Strong, who picked up his second straight victory, said he wasn't affected by the heat; "It didn't really affect me, I am from Florida so I am used to the heat. My fast ball and changeup were working real well today."

 The Eagles took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. Freshman catcher Babe Thomas reached on a leadoff single and moved to second on a ground out. John Menken singled up the middle to drive in Thomas and he advanced to second on the throw to the plate. After Menken moved to third on a wild pitch, Clay Altman was reached base after being hit by a pitch.  The Eagles then put on a play to get Altman caught in a run down between first and second which allowed Menken to take off for home.  He was able to get under the tag in a close play at the plate for the second run.

 Coastal Carolina answered in the top of the third to tie the game at 2-2.  Kyle Jackson and Riley Norton had back-to-back singles to lead the inning off.  Reid Moman hit into a double-play to put Jackson on third.  Anthony Marks drew a walk and stole second.  Michael Paez was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Connor Owings then line a single to right to drive in Jackson and Marks with the tying runs.

 Winthrop grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fourth  when TJ Olesczuk scored the go ahead run on an infied grounder by Altman. Olesczuk led off  the inning off with a single that caromed off Coastal Carolina pitcher Austin Kerr's leg.  Cody Dolan then drew a walk and Thomas singled to left field to load the bases.  A groundout by Altman to first base scored Olesczuk.

Head coach Tom Riginos was proud of his team; "Our guys battled hard, and Josh grinded to push us to the win. It was a total team effort.  We did the little things right and that was the difference."

Winthrop advances in the winner's bracket and will face an opponent to be determined at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday. That game will be carried on ESPN3.  If the Eagles can win that game they would advance to the championship game on Saturday at 2 p.m.