ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winthrop baseball (4-6) took the opening game of a three-game series with Kent State (4-3) Friday evening 8-2.

The Eagles jumped on top with a five-spot in the second inning and never looked back, posting 11 total hits on the day.
 
NOTABLES
-Junior outfielder Cale Gibson was 3-for-4 at the plate including a two-run homer in the bottom of the third. Gibson was also a part of the five-run second inning, with an RBI double to bring Tyler Halstead home from third. On the day, Gibson notched a game-high four RBI.

-Senior first baseman Tyler Halstead was 3-for-4 at the plate including his first triple of the season which scored the first run of the game and sparked the flurry of runs for the Eagles in the second inning.

-Sophomore RHP Zach Peek went 8.0 innings, a career-high, allowing just one run on two hits and a new career-high 12 strikeouts, surpassing his previous benchmark of 10, set last week against Maryland Eastern-Shore.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles return to Winthrop Ballpark Saturday afternoon for Game 2 of the Coca-Cola Classic series with Kent State. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.