Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop softball split a doubleheader at Gardner-Webb Saturday evening as both games went extra innings. The Eagles fell 5-2 in the opening game and won the nightcap 1-0.
GAME INFORMATION
RECORD: Winthrop (23-13, 5-3 Big South) | Gardner-Webb (13-23, 2-2 Big South)
WINTHROP LEADERS: Sydney Boulware (W, CG, SHO, 5H, BB, 2K) |
Macy McCall (4-8, R, BB)
WHAT HAPPENED
Game 1
- Eagles struck first with two runs in the top of the fifth inning
- Chelsea Roberson drew a leadoff walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Aleah Roy
- After Olivia Martin sacrificed Roy to second, Peyton Rivas reached on an error to put runners at the corners
- Peyton Rivas stole second and then Paige Rivas reached on an error as Peyton Rivas and Roy both came around to score on the play
- Gardner-Webb answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2
- Back-to-back singles with one out by Annicka McLaughlin and Kiara Kennedy
- Both McLaughlin and Kennedy scored on an error by the Eagles
- With two outs in the top of the sixth Mackenzie Smith doubled and then Roberson drew a walk but pinch-hitter Ella McGalliard struck out for the third out
- The Eagles loaded the bases in the top of the seventh as Paige Rivas reach on an error with one out
- KaDedra Temple reached on an error and a bunt single by Macy McCall loaded the bases
- Pinch-hitter Kailyn Little struck out and Kaitlyn Tucker popped up to end the threat
- In the bottom of the seventh Reese Basinger retired the first two batters but then Gardner-Webb proceeded to load the bases
- Basinger stood strong and struck out Adrienne Visintine to send the game to extra innings
- With one out in the ninth, Paige Rivas and Temple drew back-to-back walks and moved over to second and third on McCall ground out
- Little stepped in with a chance to drive in a go-ahead run in the ninth but struck out to end the top half
- In the bottom of the ninth, Taylor Dreher reached on an error to start the inning and moved to second on a single to short by Kasey Fava
- That brought up Andrea Lyon who hit a three-run walk-off home run for a 5-2 win
Game 2
- Eagles threatened in the top of the first as McCall reached third base after a one out single but was stranded
- In the third inning Lilly Stump had a leadoff single and move to second on an error by the right fielder
- Stump moved to third on a sacrifice but Paige Rivas and Temple both were thrown out trying to steal after drawing walks
- Eagles were the first to break through as they took the lead in the top of the eighth
- McCall led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a passed ball with two outs
- Ashton Vanhouse extended the inning with a single to short
- Vanhouse stole second and on the throw to try and catch her, McCall ran home for the 1-0 lead
- In the bottom of the eighth, Kennedy reached on a fielding error but was thrown out trying to gain second on the play
- Dreher and Fava followed with back-to-back singles to put a runner in scoring position
- Boulware stayed strong and got back-to-back fly outs to right to end the game
- For the game Boulware allowed five hits with one walk and two strikeouts as she improved to 9-3
EXTRA BASES
- Temple reached base safely in both games to extend her streak to a season-best 11 consecutive games
- The first game of the doubleheader was the 5th extra inning game for the Eagles this season and hold a 3-2 record in those games this year
- Played in back-to-back extra inning games for the Eagles since Feb. 23-24, 2017 when the Eagles fell 6-5 to ETSU in eight innings and beat Bucknell 6-5 in eight innings
- Winthrop and Gardner-Webb have now played extra innings in five of the last 11 meetings
ON DECK
Eagles and Runnin' Bulldogs complete the three-game series on Sunday, Apr. 2 at noon.
For everything Winthrop softball visit
www.winthropeagles.com or follow us on social media @Winthropsoftbal, winthropsoftball (Instagram) or
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