ROCK HILL— Anthony Paulsen singled home Kyle Edwards for the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning to lift Winthrop to a thrilling 8-7 victory over Rhode Island Sunday afternoon at the Winthrop Ballpark. With the win, the Eagles took decisive Game 3 of the weekend series against the Rams.
The victory gives Winthrop a 7-5 record on the year while Rhode Island falls to 2-7.
The Eagles' right hander Zach Sightler had another solid outing going seven innings with six strikeouts, allowing six hits, only one walk, and three runs.
The Rams opened up the scoring early when Chris Hess tripled and then was sent home on a Conner Foreman sacrifice fly to right field in the top of the 1st.
Winthrop responded quickly scoring three runs off of three hits in the bottom of the 1st. Center fielder Paulsen doubled sending left fielder Tyler Asbill home. The Eagles' third baseman Mitch Spires scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center field from catcher Roger Gonzalez. Designated hitter Babe Thomas hit a hard hit ball past the Rams' shortstop to give Winthrop the 3-1 lead.
Rhode Island added another run in the 2nd when Chase Livingston singled sending Jordan Powell home.
Both pitchers settled down until Winthrop right fielder Jace Whitley knocked in a two run RBI in the bottom of the 6thforcing Rhode Island to make a pitching change.
Winthrop's bats stayed hot when they rallied for two more runs off of four hits in the 7th making it a 7-2 ball game.
The Rams battled back in the 8th scoring three runs off of one hit, one error, two walks, and a hit batsman.
Rhode Island continued to put late runs on the board when they added two more runs on three hits in the top of the 9th to tie the game at 7-7.
Paulsen then connected with his walk-off hit in the bottom of the 9th when he singled up the middle sending Edwards home for the 8-7 victory.
Winthrop will return to action when they travel to face the Clemson Tigers this Wednesday, Mar. 9 beginning at 4:00 pm.
For the latest information on the Winthrop Baseball team, follow @WinthropBasebal on Twitter or go to www.winthropeagles.com.
