RADFORD, VA - Winthrop suffered its first loss in conference play Friday night as Radford scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 5-4. Winthrop is now 14-11 on the season and 6-1 in Big South play, and Radford improves to 12-13 and 5-2 in Big South contests with the walk-off win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Trailing 2-0 entering the top of the fifth inning, Winthrop got on the scoreboard when
Hunter Lipscomb doubled to right center to lead off the inning and two batters later was brought home on an RBI single into center field by
Matthew Mulkey to make it a 2-1 game.
- After Radford hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it 3-1 Highlanders, Winthrop answered back in the top of the seventh inning with a run of their own. Catcher
Spencer Yankle hit a solo home run off the scoreboard in left center field for his second of the season to cut the Radford lead to 3-2.
- Down to their final three outs, Winthrop scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to take their first lead of the game at 4-3.
Hunter Lipscomb led off the inning with his second double of the game, a line drive to right center field.
Grant English followed Lipscomb with a sacrifice bunt down the third base line that was thrown into right field by Radford pitcher Cameron Fritz, allowing Lipscomb to score and English to advance to second base. With the next man
Matthew Mulkey at the plate, English stole third base and scored on a Mulkey sacrifice fly to left field, giving Winthrop a 4-3 lead.
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Colten Rendon came on for the Eagles looking to close down the final three outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Radford pushed the tying and winning runs across thanks to two singles and two walks. Rendon was tagged with the Friday loss as well as a blown save.
NOTABLES
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Zach Peek started on the mound for the Eagles and gave his team six solid innings. The right hander allowed three runs (all earned) on five hits, striking out seven and walking four.
Jason Crumley came in behind Peek out of the bullpen and tossed two hitless innings, striking out one and walking one.
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Hunter Lipscomb and
Brandon Fite continued their hitting tears on Friday, with Lipscomb going 2-4 with two doubles and two runs scored and Fite going 2-4 with a pair of singles.
UP NEXT: The Eagles will turn to game two of the series on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. and
Nate Pawelczyk aligned as the starting pitcher.