Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

ROCK HILL, SC- The Winthrop baseball team combined for 12 hits in an 11-3 victory over Toledo before falling to the Rockets 4-3 to split Saturday's doubleheader. Winthrop is now 3-3 on the year, while Toledo improves to 2-4.

Game 1-
The Eagles started off strong, scoring all 11 runs in the first five innings. Anthony Paulsen blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first that scored John Menken and Babe Thomas ahead of him to give the Eagles the lead. Chad Smith and Menken scored one each in the second and third innings to bring the lead to five runs heading into the fifth.

Babe Thomas was walked and advanced all the way to third after Menken singled and Paulsen was walked. Brad Kaczka singled to right field to bring Thomas and Menken home and allowed Paulsen to get to third. Paulsen scored on a wild pitch by Kevin Kline to increase the lead to 8-0.

Toledo got one back in the top of the fifth when John Martillotta hit a solo home run over the left field fence.

Jace Whitley finished the scoring for the Eagles with a three run bomb to right field, his second career home run.

The Rockets scored twice in the sixth inning but couldn't come back as relief pitchers Austin Lawrence, Carson Gregory and Zach Cook held the Rockets to just two hits in the final two innings. Winthrop starter Zach Sightler got his first win of the season, giving up three runs on five hits. Toledo's Steven Calhoun took the loss, giving up five runs on seven hits.

Game 2-
The Eagles dropped to a 3-0 deficit after eight innings but fought back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the eight to tie the game headed into the ninth.

Jace Whitley and Brad Kaczka both got into scoring position after Whitley hit a single and advanced to third on a double by Kaczka. John Menken walked to load the bases with just one out before Anthony Paulsen hit a double, advancing Menken to third and bringing Whitley and Kazcka home. Roger Gonzalez was then intentionally walked to reload the bases and Menken crossed the plate after Mitch Spires was walked to tie the game.
A.J. Montoya led off the ninth inning for the Rockets with a double to left field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Hansen. Ryan Callahan hit the game winner, a single to left field that brought Montoya home.

Reliever Joey Strain came into the game in the 7th inning to take the loss, giving up two runs on five hits while Toledo's Alec Schmenk improved to 2-0 on the year.

The Eagles hit the road for the first time this year as it heads to Chapel Hill to take on UNC on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.