Eagles Down Bucs

Nick Chinners tallied both of the Bucs' two runs on Saturday afternoon at Winthrop Ballpark

ROCK HILL, S.C.-  The Buccaneers dropped their second game to the Eagles of Winthrop University by a final of 10-2.  The loss moves the Bucs to 12-19, 7-6, while the Eagles advance to 18-10, 8-3. 

 Buc opener Charlie McCready (0-4) tallied the loss from the mound in 5.0 innings of work allowing seven hits, five runs while striking out two.  The Bucs would bring in closer Tyler Thornburg from right field to close out the remaining 3.0 innings.  Thornburg allowed two runs on three hits and retired two at the plate.  The Eagles’ Matteo D’Angelo (3-1) would tally the win in 8.0 innings of work, allowing four hits and striking out six.

 The Bucs were lead from the plate  by red shirt sophomore first baseman Nick Chinners, who tallied both runs on two hits for the Bucs.  Right Fielder Tyler Thornburg and catcher Blake Hunt tallied the two RBIs for Chinners, while Tom Burkett and Brandon Roberts tallied the other two hits to account for the Bucs’ total of six hits on the afternoon.

 The Eagles were quick to jump in front with the lead, scoring a run in each of the first three innings, while tallying at least one run in six of their eight innings at bat.  The Bucs were held scoreless until the top of the seven when an RBI double from Hunt would bring home Chinners.   Chinners would again score in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI double from Thornburg.

 The loss brings the series to 2-0 in favor of the Eagles, making it the first conference series loss for the Bucs this season.  The Bucs had won all previous three conference series 2-1, and split a two game series with Liberty.

 The Bucs will have a last chance to avoid a sweep tomorrow as they take the field for the last game of the series at Winthrop Ballpark.  First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.