Asheville, N.C. – Winthrop dropped both games of a doubleheader to conclude the three-game Big South series at UNC Asheville by final scores of 4-1 and 14-7 Saturday afternoon. Winthrop moves to 14-23-1 overall and 4-11 in the Big South.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS (GAME 1)
W: Colby Guy (6-3)
L:
Reese Lumpkin (2-7)
S: N/A
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 1)
- The Bulldogs scored the first four runs in the bottom of the third.
- Winthrop loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the fourth after Charlie Evans drew a walk but the Eagles failed to score as a strikeout and a double play ended the inning.
- UNC Asheville had a runner on third with two outs in the bottom of the fifth as the Bulldogs looked to extend their lead but a fly out by Corbin Lanowitz ended the threat.
- The Bulldogs faced the same situation in the next inning but this time a strikeout by Brock Mercado ended their next chance to add on to their lead.
- Winthrop's next opportunity occurred in the top of the eighth as Harrison Wilson advanced to third on a passed ball with two outs but Abe Affholter struck out on the next play.
- Evans singled with one out to put Chancellor Jennings on third and on the next play, Colin Lombardo singled to bring in Jennings and end the shutout bid.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS (GAME 2)
W: Cole Schiff (3-0)
L:
Owen Sarna (3-3)
S: N/A
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 2)
- Jaylen Hernandez hit a two-run shot in the top of the second to stake the Eagles to an early 2-0 lead.
- The hosts scored six straight runs in their half of the inning.
- UNC Asheville looked to extend their lead in the next inning as the Bulldogs had runners on the corners with two outs but Mercado grounded out to end the third.
- Winthrop trimmed the deficit to three in the fourth on Affholter's RBI single, making the score 6-3.
- But the Bulldogs doubled the score in their half of the inning on a Robbie Burnett sac fly to center field and a two-run home run to left field by Cameron Johnson.
- Evans's RBI single to left field brought in Jennings and made it a five-run game.
- UNC Asheville loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom of the seventh and capitalized on the opportunity by scoring four runs in the inning.
- In the top of the eighth, Ty Hooks reached first on a fielder's choice with one out.
- During the play, the Bulldogs committed an error, allowing both Anthony Ruocco and Wilson to come home.
- UNC Asheville went up 14-6 on an RBI double to left field by Michael Groves with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning.
- Winthrop ended the day with Ruocco grounding out to bring in Alan Benhardt with one out.
ON DECK
Winthrop hosts Charlotte in a re-match with the 49ers at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 23 at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN+. Charlotte won 11-8 at their home field earlier in the season on Tuesday, Mar. 12.
