Rock Hill, S.C. – Winthrop swept a doubleheader from the Charleston Southern Buccaneers Thursday afternoon by a final score of 3-2 in the first game and then registering a 4-3 walk-off victory on a hit by pitch with the bases loaded in the second game. With the twin victories, the Eagles move to 19-28-1 overall and 8-14 in Big South play with one game left in the 2024 season.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS (GAME 1)
W:
Connor Harris (1-1)
L: Sam Massey (2-5)
S:
Parker Kruglewicz (7)
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 1)
- BJ Banyon advanced to third on an error while stealing second with two outs in the top of the second but Peter Werth flew out to end the inning.
- Eagles struck first in their half of the frame on Anthony Ruocco's double down the right field line with two outs, scoring Jaylen Hernandez.
- In the top of the fourth, the Buccaneers put guys on second and third after Lucas Pringle's single with two outs but two plays later, Werth struck out to end the inning.
- In the next inning, Charleston Southern put runners on the corners after an error with one out but two huge defensive plays in the infield ended the inning.
- The visitors took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth.
- Dakota Miller came in to tie the game with one out by scoring from first on an error while Banyon doubled through the right side and advanced to third on another error on the same play.
- Two plays later Christian Bauman singled to right field and scored Banyon to put the Buccaneers out in front with two outs.
- But the Eagles answered right back in the bottom of the inning on Harrison Wilson's sac fly to left field and Hernandez's homer to right field on the next play.
- Charleston Southern nearly took the lead again in the top of the seventh by once more putting guys on second and third but two straight strikeouts by Eagle relief pitcher Parker Whittle ended the inning.
- Winthrop loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning with one out after Chancellor Jennings drew a walk but Alan Benhardt lined out and Jennings was tagged out on the play to end Winthrop's next chance to add on to their 3-2 lead.
- Bauman flew out to center field with one out to advance Ryan Daugherty to third but S. Low flew out to center field to end the top of the eighth on the next play.
- Winthrop hung on for the victory after that.
KEY CONTRIBUTORS (GAME 2)
W:
Lance Wade (1-1)
L: Nick Timpanelli (1-6)
S: N/A
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 2)
- Pringle's fly out to center field with one out in the top of the first brought in Cade Conway and put the Bucs on top early 1-0.
- Wilson's sac fly to center field with one out in the bottom of the third brought in Nate Chronis, tying the contest.
- Then in the next inning Ruocco's sac fly to center field with one out scored Benhardt and put Winthrop in the lead.
- In the top of the sixth, Chandler Tuupo reached on a fielder's choice but got Conway home on the play, knotting the score at two.
- In the Eagle half of the inning, Jennings scored on a wild pitch with no one out, giving Winthrop a 3-2 lead.
- The visitors looked to tie the score in the top of the seventh as they got a guy on third but failed to capitalize.
- Charleston Southern knotted the score in the next inning on Miller's fielder's choice with Tuupo coming in to score on an error.
- The Buccaneers nearly took the lead in the top of the ninth as Conway reached third on an error with two outs.
- But Evann Long struck out to end the threat.
- Winthrop loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth after Wilson was intentionally walked.
- Hernandez was hit by a pitch to give the Eagles the walk-off victory and the doubleheader sweep.
ON DECK
Winthrop ends their 2024 season tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. The game will include 10 seniors being honored on Senior Day prior to playing in their final home game.
