GWU Drops 9-7 Decision On Friday At Winthrop
May 15, 2009 | Baseball
ROCK HILL, S.C.
– Winthrop scored a pair of runs each in the fourth and fifth
innings to erase a 4-1 deficit, and used a three-run seventh to
take a 9-7 win over Gardner-Webb Friday. Bryn Henderson belted a
pair of two-run home runs for the Eagles (32-22, 18-8 Big South),
one to take a 5-4 lead in the fifth and another to take a 7-4 lead
in the seventh. Henderson had just one home run entering the day's
action. Winthrop added a solo home run from Eddie Tisdale to follow
Henderson's shot in the seventh for an 8-4 lead and - after GWU cut
the lead to 8-6 - plated another run in the bottom of the eighth to
cap its scoring. GWU added its seventh run in the top of the ninth,
and had the tying run at the plate with two outs, but could not
pull closer. Winthrop struck early in the game, getting a
first-pitch single by Kevin Nolan to lead off the first. Nolan
moved to third after a pair of ground ball outs, and scooted home
on a wild pitch with two outs for a 1-0 advantage. The ‘Dogs
(24-24, 12-14 Big South) tied the game up in the third on a two-out
double from Daniel Cooke, and plated three runs in the fourth (one
earned) as Jon Ahearn ripped a two-run double down the line in left
to take advantage of a pair of Winthrop fielding miscues. Winthrop
led off the bottom half of the fourth with back-to-back singles and
cut the lead to 4-2 on a sacrifice fly by Sean Sullivan. A two-out
knock by Chas Crane cut the Bulldogs lead to 4-3 before starter
Devin Campbell could work out of the inning. A quiet fifth by
Gardner-Webb allowed Winthrop to regain its lead, with Nolan
leading off the frame with a sharp single and Henderson lining a
two-run home run to left for a 5-4 lead. Campbell coaxed a pair of
ground balls to end the inning, but Winthrop remained in control.
The Bulldogs went down in order in the sixth and seventh, as
Winthrop starter Wade Newman settled in and retired seven batters
in a row and nine of 10, allowing just an infield single with two
outs in the fifth after Gardner-Webb's burst in the fourth. The
Eagles struck again in the bottom of the seventh to put the game
away. Nolan poked a one-out single through the left side and
Henderson hammered a 1-1 fastball over the wall in dead center for
a 7-4 Winthrop lead. Eddie Tisdale followed with a long solo shot
off the batter's eye in right center to push the lead to 8-4 before
GWU could get out of the inning. Justin Loyd led off the top of the
eighth with a walk, and scored from first on a double to left
center by Kurt Fulginiti, trimming the Winthrop lead to 8-5. Ty
Boyles followed with a single up the middle to put runners on the
corners, and Aaron Miller trimmed the lead to 8-6 with a fielder's
choice ground out. Winthrop got a double play ball to end that
threat abruptly. The Eagles got rolling again in the bottom of the
eighth to go up 9-6, getting a walk and a double to put runners and
second and third for the top of their batting order. Nolan drove in
one with his fourth hit of the day – a looping single to right
to push the lead to 9-6 – but GWU turned a spectacular double
play itself to end the inning down by three runs. Matt Rizzuto led
off the top of the ninth with a single to center, but Winthrop
brought in closer Tyler Mizenko and the rookie righthander recorded
his 13th save of the season. GWU made it interesting, getting a
bunt single from Tyler Johnson and a sacrifice fly from Brock
Miller to cut the lead to 9-7 with one out. Cooke belted a fastball
to center, but the line drive was caught for the second out of the
inning. Mizenko got a ground ball to end the game. Gardner-Webb
managed 10 hits on the day, with Cooke (2-for-5, 2B, RBI, SB),
Fulginiti (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Johnson (2-for-4) leading the way.
Campbell (3-4) took the loss, giving up five runs in 5.0 innings of
work. Ryan Maxa pitched a scoreless inning of relief, and Jonathon
Ban closed out the game for GWU, allowing four runs in 1.2 innings
of work. Newman (6-4) got the win for GWU, allowing just three
earned runs in 7.0 innings of work with five strikeouts. The Eagles
had 14 hits, with Nolan going 4-for-5 with three runs scored to
lead the way. The two teams will play the finale on Saturday at 2
pm ET at the Winthrop Ballpark.
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