KENNESAW, GA – Hunter Lipscomb's three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning propelled Winthrop to a 4-3 win over Kennesaw State on Friday evening in the series opener at Stillwell Stadium.
The win extended Winthrop's win streak to four in a row to begin the season. The Eagles will try to make it five straight when they face Kennesaw on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the three-gamej. series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The home run was Lipscomb's third of the season.
Anthony Paulsen went 1 for 4 and drove home the Eagles' other run, while
Mitch Spires went 1 for 2 with one single and two walks.
Junior lefthander
Riley Arnone got credit for his first win of the season as he came on in relief of starter
Reece Green in the seventh to hold KSU scoreless in 1.1 innings. Reece went 6.1 innings and allowed two runs, gave up six hits, and struck out three.
Nate Pawelczyk pitched the final 1.1 innings to earn his first college career save. Kennesaw State Nathan Durpree reliever suffered the loss as he went one inning and gave up the home run to Lipscomb. KSU starter Tony Dibrell pitched six innings, allowed one run ( on four hits, while walking three and striking out seven.
Winthrop got on the board first in the bottom of the third when
Brandon Fite reached third on an error by the left fielder Corey Greeson. Paulsen drove Fite home with a line drive to center. Kennesaw State tied the game in the fifth when David Chabut, doubled, advanced to third on a fly out by Greeson. Chabut, and scored on a ground out by Grant Williams.
The Owls took the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when David Chabut and Greeson Chabut walked. Williams then reached on a fielder's choice that eliminated Greeson Chalbut at second, but a throwing error by the shortstop
Mitch Spires on the relay to first allowed David Chabut score from second.
The Eagles struck back in the eighth innning when
Babe Thomas and Spires had back-to-back singles and scored on the Lipscomb home run.
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Kennesaw State threatened in the bottom of the ninth as the Owls loaded the bases loaded with two outs and were able to get one run home on a fielding error by Spires.
Winthrop will throw sophomore southpaw
Thad Harris on Saturday against KSU's AJ Moore.
For the latest information on Winthrop Baseball team, follow @WinthropBasebal on Twitter or go to
www.winthropeagles.com.
