HIGH POINT, N.C. –In the longest game in Big South Tournament history, third-seeded Winthrop defeated fourth-seeded Gardner-Webb in the first elimination game of the second day of the tournament at Truist Point by a final score of 10-9 in 15 innings on
Nicholas Badillo's walk-off single. The Eagles move to 28-27 overall with the victory.
STANDOUTS
Nicholas Badillo (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Will Martin (3-5, 3 RBI)
Ricky Teel (3-8, 2 R, 1 2B)
W:
Parker Whittle (8-2)
L: Jacob McCaskey (1-3)
S: N/A
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gardner-Webb started the game with a two-run RBI single.
- The Eagles responded by scoring the next four runs, capped off by Ramses Cordova's RBI single.
- The Runnin' Bulldogs re-took the lead by scoring five runs in the top of the second to go up 7-4 but Ricky Teel highlighted the defensive half of the inning for the Eagles with an incredible catch on the warning track.
- Winthrop then jumped back out in front 9-7 when Nicholas Badillo was able to score despite Will Martin being caught trying to steal second base, capping a five-run bottom of the fourth for the Eagles.
- But Gardner-Webb tied it in the top of the ninth, giving Winthrop a chance to win it in their half of the ninth.
- Winthrop failed to capitalize, sending the game to extra innings and setting the stage for Badillo's success in the 15th inning.
- The winning run was Winthrop's first run since the fourth inning.
ON DECK
Winthrop will face the loser of top seeded Campbell and second seeded USC Upstate later tonight at a time TBD in another elimination game.
