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Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

ROCK HILL, SC- The Winthrop baseball team split its double header with Kent State on Saturday, taking the first game 2-1 before falling 9-5. The Eagles finish the series 2-1 on the year while the Golden Flashes move to 1-2.

Game 1
John Menken scored the game winning run off an RBI single from Anthony Paulsen after reaching on fielder's choice and making it all the way to third as pitcher Eric Lauer's throw missed first baseman Zarley Zalewski.
The Eagles went down early as rightfielder Luke Burch scored on a bases load walk by Alex Miklos in the top of the first inning.

The sixth inning proved to be the game changing inning for the Eagles as they made two key plays on defense before scoring the game tying run. Winthrop got into a bit of a bind as the first two batters for Kent State got on base. Alex Miklos then grounded into a double play that got him out at first and Zalewski out at second. Tommy Monnot grounded into shortstop Kyle Edwards who was able to handle the bouncing ball and make a long throw to get the final out and keep the score at 1-0.

Babe Thomas tied the game in the bottom of the seventh after getting hit by a pitch, stealing second and coming home on a double by Paulsen.

Junior Joey Strain came in the ninth inning to close out the game and get his first save of the year. Reliever Josh Strong earned the win, giving up just one hit and no runs while his counterpart Eric Lauer took the loss for Golden Flashes, giving up one run on two hits.

Game 2
Winthrop had a rough start in game two of the day as they found themselves down 4-0 after six innings.

The Eagles looked to come back in the seventh inning, scoring three runs to bring the game within one run. Winthrop loaded the bases as Roger Gonzalez, Paulsen and Brad Kaczka all hit singles before Chad Smith struck out. Edwards then grounded out to the pitcher which allowed Gonzalez to score and Paulsen and Kaczka to advance. Clay Altman walked to reload the bases before Paulsen and Kaczka were brought home on walks by Tyler Asbill and Jace Whitley.

Kent State was able to get three runs in eighth inning to go up four, but the Eagles kept fighting to get cut the lead to 7-5 as Gonzalez and Paulsen both crossed the plate. Gonzalez and Paulsen both walked and advanced on a single by Kaczka. Edwards then reached on fielder's choice and all runners were able to advance on an error by third baseman Dylan Rosa. Altman reached on fielder's choice that got Kaczka out at second base but allowed Paulsen to score.

The Golden Flashes were able to get two more runs in the ninth inning while closer Josh Pierce was able to get three Eagles out in four at bats to bring the final score to 9-5.

Matt Crohan took the loss for the Eagles, giving up one run on four hits in three innings pitched. Kent State's Jared Skolnicki got his first win of the year, allowing just three hits in five innings.

The Eagles game on Sunday against Kent State has been cancelled due to the cold weather. Winthrop's next game will be Wednesday when it travels to USC- Upstate. Game time is 4:00 p.m.