ROCK HILL, S.C. – Behind a shutout eight innings from sophomore Zach Peek, Winthrop baseball (19-22, 11-6 Big South Conference) earned a 3-0 win over UNC Asheville (10-28, 5-12 Big South Conference) Saturday at The Winthrop Ballpark to clinch the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Eagles mounted a scoring threat in the 2^nd. Dillon Morton and Cale Gibson led off with back-to-back singles and Asheville starter issued a walk to both Connor O'Brien and Scout McFalls, scoring one for Winthrop.

-Brandon Fite led off the 3^rd with a single to right and advanced to second on a balk. Tyler Halstead brought him home with a double and a 2-0 lead. Morton followed with a hit of his own to score Halstead and put the Eagles up 3-0. A walk issued to Gibson would do it for Asheville starter Greg Gasparro.

-Both teams would battle through five scoreless frames as Peek held strong on the mound for the Eagles and the Bulldogs pitched by committee.

-Riley Arnone took the mound for the 9^th to finish it out for the Eagles and preserve the shutout win.
 
NOTABLES
-The win was just the third shutout win of the season for Winthrop.

-Sophomore RHP Zach Peek did not allow a Bulldog run while allowing five hits and recording five strikeouts and issuing only two walks in the win.

-Leading-hitter Mitch Spires has recorded at least one hit in 12 of the last 13 games, adding a double to bring his season total to 11.  

-Tyler Halstead was 1-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI.

UP NEXT
The series with the Bulldogs concludes Sunday with a 1 p.m. start. Winthrop Athletics will be celebrating Earth Day with a Sustainability Day promotion, with reusable Winthrop grocery/tote bags while supplies last, some even with some surprise giveaways stuffed inside.