CHARLESTON – Winthrop claimed the series finale over Charleston Southern on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 9-6.
Winthrop was able to jump out to an early lead, scoring four runs across the first two innings for the 4-0 lead.
In the second,
Lucas Pringle had a one out double down the left field line and was quickly brought home.
Lew Rice swung on the first pitch that he saw and sent a double to right field, scoring Pringle for the Bucs' first run of the day.
The Eagles belted a solo home run and a two-run home run during the top of the fourth, pushing their advantage to 7-1.
Charleston Southern responded by chipping into the deficit with runs scored during each of the next three innings.
Aidan McAskie led off the bottom of the fourth with a double and moved up a bag as
Nathan Martinez was hit by a pitch. Then with two outs on the board,
Blake Edgmon had a double to left field to score both.
In the fifth,
Chandler Tuupo had a double to right field that scored
AJ Martin from second. Then, in the sixth,
Lew Rice had a solo home run over the wall in right field, pulling the Bucs within two as the score stood at 7-5. Winthrop was able to quickly piece together a two-run home run in the top of the seventh, pushing their advantage back to four at 9-5.
In the ninth, Martinez had an RBI single to right field that was able to score Tuupo from second.
At plate, the Buccaneers finished with 10 hits with each of their first eight going for extra bases. The first six batters each had a double. Rice, Edgmon and Tuupo led the team with two hits apiece. Rice and Edgmon led the team with two RBIs each.
The Charleston Southern pitching staff had one of their best days in terms of allowing freebies. The group did not allow any bases on balls during the game, just the second time this season.
Tait Robertson was the starter for the Bucs in the contest and tossed the opening 1.1.
Tyler Henshaw was the first out of the bullpen and tossed 2.0, allowing a pair of earned runs and struck out three batters.
Chris Foster was tasked with the next 3.1 innings, allowing no earned runs but had two unearned runs cross during his time on the mound.
Hayden Henry was the final one out of the bullpen and finished the game with the final 2.1 and had three strikeouts.
The Buccaneers will be back in action on Tuesday evening as they will face the College of Charleston. The game will be available live on FloCollege with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. at Patriots Point.
