Box Score Box Score

ROCK HILL, SC- The Winthrop baseball team couldn't hold on to a two run lead as it dropped a 10-6 decision to Gardner-Webb on Friday night.

The Eagles fall to 0-1 in the Big South and 14-7 overall while the Bulldogs improve to 3-1 in conference play and 13-9 on the year.

Josh Strong took the loss for Winthrop, giving up three runs on one hit in 1/3 of an inning. Four other Winthrop pitchers combined for 12 hits and seven runs. Gardner-Webb's Wil Sellers moved to 2-0 on the year holding the Eagles to three hits in one inning.

Anthony Paulsen went 3-5 with a single, double and triple and drove home two runs.

Winthrop took a quick 2-0 in the first inning. Babe Thomas reached on fielder's choice and was driven home on a triple to right center by Paulsen. Mark Lowrie then singled through the right side to bring Paulsen home.

Collin Thacker got a run back for the Bulldogs in the second inning, scoring from third on a single by Paul Trick.

The Eagles pushed the advantage back to two in the fourth inning. After singling, Jace Whitley crossed the plate on back to back singles by Brad Kaczka and Mitch Spires.

Gardner-Webb battled back and Taylor Fisher brought the score to 4-2 as he came home from third on a double by Thacker.

The Bulldogs exploded to score eight runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

Winthrop looked to rally in the bottom of the ninth and scored two runs. Tyler Asbill led off the inning with a single and scored on a double by Paulsen. Paulsen was then brought home on a single by Lowrie, but pitcher Bradley Hallman was able to get the final two outs and get his first save of the year.

The series continues Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at The Winthrop Ballpark.