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Box Score

ROCK HILL, SC- The Winthrop baseball team opened its 2015 season with a statement, beating Kent State 9-1 on Friday night. The Eagles are 1-0 on the year while the Golden Flashes fall to 0-1. This is the third straight year the Eagles led the season off with a win.

Sophomore Sam Kmiec pitched seven innings for the Eagles, earning the win, while giving up just four hits and no runs. Kent State's Nick Jensen Clagg took the loss, allowing four runs on two hits in five innings. Travis Shelley, Zach Cook and Riley Arnone also made appearances for Winthrop.

Redshirt junior Tyler Asbill opened the Eagles offense with a triple and was brought home on a sacrifice fly from Roger Gonzalez.

Babe Thomas was walked and then stole second to get into scoring position with two outs in the fifth inning. Thomas then advanced to third on a wild pitch and reached home on a throwing error by catcher Jeff Revesz.

Mark Lowrie and Anthony Paulsen both walked to open up the sixth inning. Brad Kaczka then reached on fielder's choice but an error by shortstop Sawyer Polen allowed Paulsen to reach third and Lowrie to score. Paulsen scored on the next bat as Kyle Edwards hit a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 4-0.

Chad Smith, Jace Whitley and Kaczka all scored a run in the 7th inning while Gonzalez crossed the plate once in the 7th and once in the 8th to finish out scoring for the Eagles.
The Golden Flashes lone score came in the ninth inning as Dylan Rosa scored on a bases loaded walk by Zach Cook.

Winthrop continues its weekend series against Kent State with a double header on Saturday. Game times are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.