Rock Hill, S.C. –
Riley Huge set the Eagle single-game strikeout record as Winthrop swept a doubleheader with Maine at home by final scores of 8-0 and 10-3 on Saturday afternoon. With the twin victories, Winthrop moves to 4-7 overall on the season and takes the series from the Black Bears.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS (GAME 1)
- Riley Huge (7.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 20 K)
- Charlie Evans (3-5, 1 RBI, SB)
- Nicholas Badillo (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B)
- Anthony Ruocco (2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 2B)
- Harrison Wilson (2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI)
W:
Riley Huge (2-1)
L: Gianni Gambardella (0-3)
S:
Parker Whittle (1)
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 1)
- In fanning 20 batters in 7.2 innings and giving up just one hit, Huge broke the single-game strikeout record previously held by Kevin Slowey (19 vs. NYIT on Apr. 12, 2003).
- It was also the most K's in a single game a Big South institution member pitcher has had up to this point in the season.
- It was also the most K's a pitcher has had in a single game in the nation up to this point in the season.
- On the mound, Huge struck out the first six batters he faced.
- In the third, Huge walked the first batter, who then promptly got to second on a groundout on the next play.
- Huge struck out the next two batters to end the first Maine threat and then went 1-2-3 in the fourth.
- In the fifth, he struck out the first batter but three plays later saw Maine with a guy on third.
- With the Black Bears 90 feet away from getting on the board first, he induced another strikeout to end the inning.
- Huge went 1-2-3 again in the sixth and with Maine in scoring position at second base in the seventh, Huge retired the next three batters on a groundout and two straight K's.
- In retiring the second batter faced in the eighth, Huge broke Slowey's record and then gave up his only hit of the game on the next play.
- With 124 pitches, this officially ended his day on the mound.
- Parker Whittle came on in relief of Huge with two outs in the eighth and proceeded to record the final four outs to get his first save on the season.
- From an offensive standpoint, Winthrop did not threaten until the fifth inning with the score 0-0.
- Harrison Wilson got the Eagles on the board first in the fifth when he singled and advanced to second on an error by the pitcher, bringing home Anthony Ruocco.
- Two plays later, Charlie Evans singled to left field to score Wilson.
- Winthrop put the Black Bears away with a six-run eighth inning.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS (GAME 2)
- Charlie Evans (4-5, 4 RBI)
- Jaylen Hernandez (1-4, 2 R, 1 2B)
- Alan Benhardt (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B)
- Nate Chronis (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B)
- Anthony Ruocco (2-4, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B)
- Chazz Grossington (1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI)
W:
Reese Lumpkin (1-2)
L: Jason Kreiger (1-1)
S: N/A
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 2)
- In the second, third and fourth innings, Maine got a guy on third but failed to score each time.
- Chazz Grossington got to third in the Eagle half of the third on Evans's single to center field with two outs but Will Dorrell grounded out to end the inning.
- Winthrop broke through in the four runs in the fourth.
- Nate Chronis did most of the damage, driving in two runs on a double to right field with one out.
- Chronis also scored on a wild pitch.
- The Black Bears got on the board in the sixth when Chase Trolaro singled to center field and scored Jeph Hadson-Taylor.
- But Winthrop answered right back in their half of the sixth with one out when Evans singled to left field bring Ruocco home.
- The Eagles ended the competitive phase of the game in the next inning, scoring five runs.
- Caleb Jones came within one strike of throwing an immaculate inning in the top of the eighth.
- Grant Shepherd made his debut as an Eagle in the ninth.
ON DECK
Winthrop plays Maine tomorrow afternoon in the final game of the three-game series at 2 p.m., looking for the sweep.
