ROCK HILL, S.C- The Winthrop Baseball team split Saturday's doubleheader with Toledo at the Winthrop Ballpark, giving the Rockets the 2-1 series win.The Eagles (1-2, 0-0 Big South) won the first game in a 17-3 blowout, and Toledo (2-1, 0-0 MAC) won game two by an 8-7 score. 

GAME ONE - HOW IT HAPPENED

- After Toledo led 2-1 after an inning of play, the Eagles exploded for nine runs in the second inning on nine hits. The big blows in the inning were back-to-back home runs by third baseman Jake Sullivan (two-run shot) and shortstop Tyler Baker (solo). It was each player's first home run of 2019. The Eagles sent 13 men to the plate in the inning. 

- Winthrop scored runs in five different frames and multiple runs in four different innings. 

- On the mound, starter Nate Pawelczyk earned his first win of the year, throwing five innings of two run ball, allowing five hits. The senior struck out five and walked two. After allowing a two-run home run in the first inning, Pawelczyk was essentially in cruise control the rest of the outing once handed the big lead. 

- Following Pawelczyk's departure, a pair of rookie relievers took it the rest of the way for the Eagles. Braxton Foley tossed two innings in his collegiate debut, allowing one run. The Walton, Kentucky native allowed three hits, struck out one, and walked one. Fellow right-hander Jaret Montenery took care of the final two innings in his first outing as an Eagle, striking out three and walking one in his scoreless effort.

GAME ONE - NOTABLES

- The Eagles' 17 runs scored were the program's most in a single game since March 11, 2016 (18 vs. Miami OH)

- Ten different Eagles had at least one hit in game one, including seven players with multi-hit games. Second baseman Brandon Fite went 4-4 and scored three runs, and shortstop Tyler Baker went 3-5 including his solo home run. 

- Eight different Eagles scored at least one run in game one, with center fielder Scout McFalls and catcher Alex Raines leading the way with three runs scored apiece. 


GAME TWO - HOW IT HAPPENED

- Redshirt junior Thad Harris made his first start since 2017 and did not disappoint. The lefty went five innings in game two, scattering six hits and allowing two earned runs. Harris struck out six and walked only two. Harris escaped a bases loaded, one-out jam in the second inning by striking out back to back batters. 

- With the game tied at one entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Eagles scored four times to take a 5-1 lead. Run number two came across when catcher Spencer Yankle scored on a passed ball. After Jake Sullivan walked later in that at-bat, Tyler Baker hit his second home run of the season and second of the doubleheader, a three-run shot that was a no doubter to left field. 

- Toledo reclaimed the lead in the top of the eighth, scoring five times off of Winthrop relievers Jason Crumley and Mason Groves. 

- Much like game one of the series on Friday night, Winthrop mounted a great rally in the bottom of the ninth. The Eagles sent seven men to the plate in the frame and brought across two runs, but the tying run was left stranded on second base as designated hitter Hunter Lipscomb flied out to end the game. 

GAME TWO - NOTABLES

- While only totaling six hits in game two, the Eagles used a patient batting eye to get more baserunners. Winthrop had seven hitters reach base in the nightcap by either a walk or hit by pitch. 

- Tyler Jones made his collegiate debut on the mound, entering in the top of the ninth inheriting a bases-loaded, nobody out jam. Jones would get the Eagles out of the inning with no further damage, first by striking out his first career hitter and then inducing a 6-4-3 double play to set Winthrop up to make a ninth inning rally. 


UP NEXT

- The Eagles travel to Columbia to take on South Carolina Tuesday afternoon at Founders Park. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.

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