ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Winthrop Eagles plated two runs in the decisive eighth inning, en route to a 2-1 win over the VMI Keydets Friday night in Rock Hill, S.C. in the Big South opener for both clubs.
With VMI leading 1-0, WU's Chas Crane walked after an eight-pitch at-bat. He moved to second on a wild pitch, and that brought Keydet closer Michael Devine (0-2) out of the bullpen. Another wild pitch moved Crane to third, and Eddie Rohan walked. A third wild pitch scored Crane, and after a fly out and a third walk, Tyler Cook doubled down the left field line, scoring Rohan and accounting for the final margin.
Devine took the loss for VMI (9-9-1, 0-1 Big South), falling to 0-2 on the season, while Eric Ruth (3-0) notched the win for the Eagles. Both starters pitched well, although neither figured in the decision. VMI's Coby Cowgill went 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just four hits. He struck out six and walked two, while WU's (8-8, 1-0 Big South) Tyler Mizenko threw seven innings, giving up one run on six hits.
The Keydets put a runner in scoring position in the second inning, but could not score, and Winthrop put together a major threat in the bottom half. Two singles and a hit by pitch loaded the bases, but Cowgill induced two strikeouts and a fielder's choice ground ball, keeping Winthrop off the scoreboard.
It was more of the same in the third, as two walks and an error loaded the bases with no outs. Again, Cowgill maneuvered out of trouble, getting two ground balls to Chase Worthington, including an inning-ending double play, to keep the game scoreless.
With two out in the fifth, the Keydets mounted a rally, as Justin Topping, Worthington and Hess had three consecutive singles. On Hess' single, however, Winthrop shortstop Adam Gliebe made a sliding play deep in the hole, seemingly preventing the ball from continuing into left field. Mizenko took advantage, striking out Sam Roberts to end the threat.
The Eagles put a runner in scoring position in the fifth and could not score, while VMI could not take advantage of a one-out George Piccirilli hit in the sixth. Finally, in the seventh inning, the Keydets broke through. Rob Dickinson singled to lead off the frame, and moved to second on a balk. After two outs, the second of which moved him to third, Dickinson scored on a wild pitch, putting the Keydets up, 1-0.
The first two hitters reached against Cowgill in the bottom half, and one out later, Travis Thomas relieved the Keydet starter. Thomas induced a pop up to shallow right and notched a strikeout, ending the threat and preserving the 1-0 VMI lead.
Graham Sullivan had a one-out double in the eighth, and Piccirilli reached on an error. Alex Haitsuka singled to load the bases, but Jacob Morley struck out and Rob Dickinson grounded out to end the inning, setting the stage for Winthrop's eventual rally.
Offensively, eight of the nine Keydet starters had exactly one hit, while Winthrop's five hits were split equally between five different players. No player for either side had multiple hits.
VMI and Winthrop will resume their three-game Big South series Saturday, when the Keydets and Eagles battle at 3 p.m.
