Boiling Springs, N.C. – Winthrop split a doubleheader at Gardner-Webb Saturday afternoon to take the Big South road series. After dropping the first game 7-2 the Eagles bounced back to win the second game 4-2.
GAME INFORMATION
RECORD: Winthrop (21-11, 5-1 Big South) | Gardner-Webb (16-19, 1-5 Big South)
WINTHROP LEADERS: Megan Powell (CG, W, 5H, 0ER, BB, 2K / 2-5, R, 2B, RBI, 3BB) |
Emma Jackson (3-6, 3R, 2B, HR, 3RBI, BB, HBP) |
Peyton Bryden (4-7, 2 2B, RBI, BB)
WHAT HAPPENED
Game 1
- Eagles had a chance to get on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning
- Emma Jackson was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and two batters later Peyton Bryden singled down the left field line to put runners at first and second
- Both Jackson and Bryden moved over a base after Katie Beck's shot to foul territory in left was caught on a diving effort by the left fielder
- Tia Beckham grounded out to short to end the threat
- In the third, Byrden doubled to left with two outs, but was stranded
- In the fourth, Grayson Buckner doubled down the left field line with one out as the Eagles were unable to take advantage
- Eagles finally broke through in the top of the fifth as Jackson doubled to center and advanced to third on a Megan Powell ground out to short
- Bryden stepped in and delivered a single to down the left field line to plate Jackson for the lead
- Gardner-Webb responded in the bottom of the fifth as Trina Van Dyke hit a ground rule double to left for the first hit allowed by Lonna Addison
- Pinch-hitter Carmen McRae followed with a soft single just over the head of Buckner at short to put runners at the corners
- The next batter was pinch-hitter Alyssa Bonilla and she drove one to left for a two-run double and a 2-1 lead
- Gardner-Webb added three more as J. Tineo plated a run on a single to short and then T. Dreher tripled to right to bring home two more to lead 5-1
- Gardner-Webb added two more runs in the sixth
- In the top of the seventh, Jackson singled to left with one away and Powell followed with a double to right center that scored Jackson
Game 2
- Eagles loaded the bases in the top of the first, but were unable to take advantage
- Powell drew a one out walk and moved to third on a double to right center off the bat of Bryden followed by a two out walk from Tia Beckham
- Buckner hit flare to right center but the right fielder robbed her of a base hit with a diving catch
- In the top of the second, Tabitha Perry hit a flare to left that fell in between three players as she raced around to make it a double
- Emma Roberson drew a walk and then Jackson stepped in and took the first pitch over the fence in right center for a 3-0 lead
- Powell followed with a single and then moved to second when Bryden walked
- Beck stepped in and doubled to left center to score Powell for a four run lead
- Gardner-Webb got two runs in the bottom of the seventh with two outs as McRae hit a ball to center that Jackson tried to make a diving catch but the ball got by for an RBI double
- The next came on a flare to right field that fell in and scored McRae
EXTRA BASES
- In the second game of the doubleheader, the teams combined to go 0-for-14 leading off
- Eagles have now won four straight conference series dating back to the 2024 season
- Bryden extended her hitting streak to eight games, which is a season-best by an Eagle
- Powell extended her hitting streak to seven straight games
ON DECK
Winthrop remains on the road for a midweek contest in Johnson City, Tenn. on Tuesday, Mar. 25 to take on East Tennessee State at 2 p.m.
STAY SOCIAL WITH THE EAGLES
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