Late Home Runs Hurt Eagles in Loss at Winthrop

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winthrop broke open a pitchers dual hitting three home runs, handing Georgia Southern a 5-2 loss Wednesday night (March 18). The Eagles, winners of 10 of their last 11 heading in, dropped to 14-3 overall.

The home Eagles got to starter Jake Brown (Forest Hill, MD/Pitt CC) in the sixth. Eddie Rohan hit a leadoff home run, then after a single John Murrian launched a 2-run shot putting Winthrop ahead 4-1. Eddie Tisdale hit a solo shot with one down in the seventh for a four-run lead.

Ken Monteith held the Eagles to two hits through the first seven innings. In the eighth a pair of two-out singles, the last a RBI hit coming from Griffin Benedict (Dunwoody/St. Pius), made it 5-2. With two on and the tying run at the plate, closer Tyler Mizenko struck out Ty Wright (Montrose/ABAC) to end the scoring threat. He worked a scoreless ninth inning for his fourth save.

Winthrop (12-6) got a RBI groundout in the first inning but the Eagles evened the score in the third. Eric Phillips (Carrollton/Carrollton) reached on an error. Kevin Bowles (Statesboro/Statesboro) executed a hit and run to put runners on the corners. Jonathan King (Athens, TN/Young Harris) walked to load the bases. Georgia Southern brought home a run on a ground ball double play.

Brown (1-2) gave up four runs on 10 hits in five innings, striking out one. The bullpen did not allow a walk and only one run in three innings.

Bowles and Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) had two hits apiece as Winthrop held a 14-5 edge in hits.

Monteith (2-0) allowed two runs on four hits in 7.2 innings. The 2-5 hitters combined for nine hits, five runs scored and five RBI.

The Eagles continue Southern Conference play this weekend, traveling to Appalachian State for a weekend series. Friday’s (March 20) first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

STREAK IS OVER: Several members of the team are battling flu-like symptoms, including senior Brian Pierce (Roswell/Roswell). Pierce, who had the second-longest consecutive games streak in NCAA Division I at 185 games, did not suit up. He had started at shortstop in every game since game nine of his freshman year. Phillips started at shortstop... Georgia Southern and Winthrop evened their regular season series.

Category: Baseball

Published on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 00:06