Winthrop Takes Doubleheader, Series From Radford

RADFORD, Va. -- Winthrop won both ends of a Big South Conference baseball doubleheader to take the three-game series from Radford Saturday at Dedmon Center Park. The Eagles won game one 8-2 and game two 6-1. (Game 1 Box Score) (Game 2 Box Score)

The Eagles improved to 20-6 overall and 6-0 in the Big South. Radford falls to 5-16 with the two losses, 0-3 in League play. Winthrop won the first game of the series on Friday, 11-7.

Right-hander starter Justin Morgan (1-4) took the game one loss for Radford. Morgan, who was throwing a two hitter with five strikeouts through four innings, took a batted ball to his throwing hand early in the fifth. He ended up with 4 2/3 innings pitched, allowing four runs on five hits. Right-handed starter Justin Tubb (2-3) was charged with the loss in game two, allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits in seven innings of work. Tubb also struck out five batters.

Starter Heath Rollins (3-3) earned the win for Winthrop in game one. He threw eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six batters. Starter Ryan Nasiatka (3-1) was credited with the game two victory. He threw 5 2/3 innings, surrendering one run on eight hits.

Radford held a 2-1 lead after four innings in game one, getting runs from centerfielder Steve Mignogna and first baseman Kellen Wohlford on a sacrifice fly and a RBI single by pitcher Mark Fleisher. Winthrop overtook the Highlanders with a three-run fifth inning, scoring shortstop Matt Repec on a RBI single by catcher Alan Robbins. Centerfielder Tommy Lentz then homered, scoring Robbins. The Eagles added two insurance runs in the sixth on a hit by Repec and a groundout by Robbins that scored right fielder Daniel Carte and left fielder Kyle Roberson.

WU completed the game one scoring with two more in the eighth when Designated hitter Jacob Dempsey hit a solo home run and Roberson scored on a Radford error.

Carte homered in the first inning of game two to start the scoring for Winthrop. Roberson led off the second inning with a home run to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Carte’s RBI single in the third scored second baseman Chris Carrara. Wohlford hit a solo home run in the fourth to put RU on the scoreboard. WU added three runs in the eighth beginning with Rollins scoring on a passed ball. Robbins later hit a two-RBI single that plated Repec.

Wohlford was 6-of-8 with a solo home run in the two games to lead Radford. Right fielder Matt Mantione went 2-for-4 in game two for the Highlanders. Fleisher collected two RBI in game one. Robbins was 4-for-8 in the two games with four RBI to lead the Eagles. Carte was 4-for-9 with three RBI and Lentz was 3-for-7 with two RBI.

Radford will be at home Tuesday to face in-state rival VCU at 3:00 pm. Winthrop will play North Carolina on Tuesday at 5:00 pm.