BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Eagles fell 9-7 in the series finale with the Runnin' Bulldogs. Winthrop falls to 11-19 on the season, 8-14 against Big South opponents. Starting pitcher
Dalton Skinner gets the no decision after 3.2 innings pitched, giving up five runs and striking out six.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
Jonathan Strauss (2-for-3, 2 RBI)
Dillon Morton (2-for-5, 2 RBI)
Scout McFalls (2-for-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both pitchers faced the minimum batters in the 1st inning to get the afternoon underway.
- With two outs in the top of the 2nd, Scout McFalls and Joey Tepper hit back-to-back singles to give the Eagles two base runners.
- McFalls would come home on a balk, giving Winthrop a 1-0 lead.
- In the next at-bat, Jonathan Strauss singled to center, scoring Tepper to make it a 2-0 contest.
- With two on and one out, Eric Jones and Patrick Ferguson both advanced on a wild pitch and then both scored on an error to tie things up at two after two.
- Gardner-Webb's K Ruehlman pitched a five-pitch third inning.
- Dalton Skinner pitched around a lead-off double in the bottom of the 3rd to keep things tied at two.
- Ty Hooks walked to lead off the inning and McFalls laced a single through the right side to get aboard.
- Strauss singled up the middle scoring McFalls to take a 3-2 lead.
- Tepper also scored in the top of the 4th when Joe McNamara reached out an error, 4-2.
- Gardner-Webb put up a four-run 4th inning, one run was walked in with bases loaded, while the other three runs were scored off back-to-back singles from Joe Simone and Cam Pearcey to take a 6-4 lead.
- Yankle walked, followed by a single off the bat of Dillon Morton to give the Eagles two quick base runners.
- McFalls grounded out, bringing Yankle home from third to cut Gardner-Webb's lead to one, 6-5.
- Dalton Mims, who came in in relief in the 4th inning pitched a scoreless 5th inning.
- Morton came in clutch in the top of the 6th with a two-out, two RBI single to take a 7-6 lead over the Runnin' Bulldogs.
- Two runs in the 7th inning and an additional run in the 8th while holding the Eagles scoreless in the final three frames gave Gardner-Webb the 9-7 win and series sweep.
ON DECK
The Eagles will host Gardner-Webb at the Winthrop Ballpark on Tuesday, April 27. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.