ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winthrop scored a pair of runs in the first inning to go on to hand Gardner-Webb a 2-0 loss in the opening contest of a three-game Big South Conference series on Thursday evening.
 
Gardner-Webb (17-17, 7-9 Big South) outhit Winthrop (22-15, 11-5 Big South) by a 6-4 margin, but the Runnin' Bulldogs were 0-for-6 on the evening with runners in scoring position.
 
The Eagjes plated their first run in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI triple by Spencer Yankle, scoring Alex Raines, who singled earlier in the frame.  Hunter Lipscomb drove Yankle home in the following at-bat with a RBI groundout to give Winthrop a 2-0 lead.
 
GWU attempted to get on the board in the top of the second, leading off the frame with a base hit to centerfield by JP McGuire, and would reach scoring position with one out as Chris Clary would reach via a walk, but Colton Sakamoto would ground into a double play to end the possible scoring threat.
 
The 'Dogs had another chance to score in the eighth, with Ben LaSpaluto leading off with a base hit, followed by a walk by Justin Kunz to put a pair of runners on with no outs.  Chandler Redmond would strikeout in the following at-bat, followed by a ground out by Corey Howard that advanced both runners, putting the tying run at second base with two outs.  GWU wouldn't be able to push any runs across, as Eric Jones would ground out to record the third out of the inning.
 
Raines led the Eagles' bats, going 2-for-4 on the evening.
 
McGuire went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the GWU offense.
 
Zach Peek (5-2) went the distance on the mound for the Eagles, fanning eight batters while scattering six base hits in the complete-game win.
 
Isaac Campbell (2-3) took the loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in seven innings of work.  Langdon Wilson worked the eighth, allowing no runs or hits with a pair of strikeouts.
 
The series continues tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm at the Winthrop Ballpark in Rock Hill, S.C.