ROCK HILL, SC – After nearly upsetting 13th ranked UCLA in Los Angeles, the Eagles return to Rock Hill ready to open their home schedule with solid performances in the Winthrop Challenge this weekend.
The four-team tournament will bring Maryland, Creighton and Gardner-Webb to The Winthrop Ballpark. The event’s first game will involve the Blue Jays of Creighton, out of Missouri Valley Conference, and the Bulldogs of Gardner Webb, from the Atlantic Sun Conference at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
The Eagles start their participation following the Creighton-Gardner-Webb game at 3 p.m. against Maryland. Winthrop leads the all-time series against the ACC school 6-0.
On Saturday, the Eagles will have their first ever meeting against Creighton at 1 p.m., while the Maryland Terrapins will face-off against Gardner-Webb at 4:30 p.m.
The teams close out their participation on Sunday as Creighton and Maryland battle each other at 11 a.m. and Winthrop plays Gardner-Webb at 2 p.m. holding a 24-1 all-time mark vs. the Bulldogs.
Eagle head coach Joe Hudak expects senior captain, shortstop Chris Carrara, to be back in the line-up. Carrara was the designated hitter at UCLA as he battled a sore elbow.
Hudak also expects the Rock Hill community to come watch the Eagles play for the first time in 2007. “It’s good to be home. We are excited about playing our tournament and we hope to have a nice crowd to watch us play,” said Hudak.
On the mound, the Eagles will have the services of sophomore sensation Alex Wilson against Maryland, junior Ryan Schwartz, who picked up a win at UCLA, against Creighton and sophomore Jason Franzblau vs. Gardner-Webb.
