LEXINGTON, Va. - Winthrop University (23-15, 11-2 BSC) handed starter Kevin Slowey (6-3) a 4-0 lead in the third inning and the Eagles never looked back as they went on to defeat VMI 14-3 Friday afternoon in a Big South Conference affair at Patchin Field.

Slowey carried a shutout into the eighth inning and picked up the win.

VMI (21-21, 2-11 BSC) starter Mike Anton (Clarkesville, Md. / River Hill) (0-1) took the loss, as he was touched up for four singles, a double, a walk and a hit batsman in the Eagles' four-run third.

Winthrop made the score 7-0 in the fifth inning, and 9-0 in the eighth before an RBI double from third baseman Chad Rice (Grindstone, Pa. / Brownsville), a sacrifice fly from shortstop Matt Smith (Chesapeake, Va. / Great Bridge) and a run scoring single from first baseman Jonathan Hadra (Richmond, Va. / Atlee) cut the Eagles lead to 9-3.

After its first two batters were retired in the top of the ninth inning, Winthrop rallied for five more runs to finish off the Keydets 14-3.

Eagles' centerfielder Tommy Lentz went 4-for-6 with three RBI's and third baseman David Scoggin went 3-for-6 with a home run (10) in the contest.

Game two of the three game series between VMI and Winthrop is Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

The Keydets will send RHP J.J. Hollenbeck (Vienna, Va. / James Madison) to the mound, as the Eagles counter with RHP Jeff Reeves.

-VMI-