BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Winthrop scored three runs in the first three innings to go on to hand Gardner-Webb a 10-5 loss on Sunday afternoon.
 
Gardner-Webb (19-15, 6-6 Big South) saw its six game win streak get snapped by the Eagles (15-18, 8-4 Big South), who has six extra-base hits throughout the contest to avoid being swept for the weekend.
 
The Eagles plated two runs in the top of the first inning on a two-run home run to dead center field by Mitch Spires.
 
Spires increased Winthrop's lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning on his second home run of the game, a solo shot to left field.
 
Winthrop added another run in the top of the fifth as Cale Gibson connected with a double to the right field gap, plating Jake Sullivan who reached on a walk earlier in the frame.
 
Gardner-Webb scored its first runs of the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Justin Kunz belted a double to center field to plate Corey Howard, who lead off the frame with a base knock to left field.
 
Kunz would later score on a RBI hit by Taber Mongero to left field to set the score at 4-2.
 
Winthrop expanded its lead to four runs once again in the top of the sixth inning on a RBI double to center field by Tyler Halstead, who later scored on a passed ball.
 
GWU took one run back in the bottom half of the sixth as Eric Jones connected with a base knock to left field with two outs, plating Mickey Dugan who reached on a single through the right side of the infield earlier in the frame.
 
Winthrop sealed the game in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs on four hits to take a 10-3 lead.
 
Chris Clary led off the seventh inning by uncorking a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall, his fifth home run of the season.  That was followed later by a RBI single to right field by Chandler Redmond to set the score at 10-5.
 
The Eagles collected 12 hits throughout the tilt, with Spires (3-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI) doing the most damage.
 
The Diamond 'Dogs had 12 base hits, paced by Clary (3-for-5, HR, RBI).
 
Cody Whitten (1-1) earned the win for Winthrop, allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in five innings.  Macklin Ohs worked 1.1 innings, giving up three runs on six hits with one strikeout, while Dalton Whitaker tossed the final 2.2 innings, giving up no runs on one base hit while fanning three batters.
 
Mason Fox (3-4) took the loss for Gardner-Webb, surrendering four runs on five hits with three strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.  GWU used four relievers over the remaining innings, as Tyler Johnson (1.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 K), Aaron Stewart (0.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 K), Isaac Campbell (0.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H), and Noah Davis (2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K) each saw time on the mound.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Wednesday, April 11 at USC Upstate.  The first pitch is slated for 6:00 pm in Spartanburg, S.C.