ROCK HILL, SC - The Eagles pounded out 17 runs on 16 hits to down La Salle 17-6 in a rain shortened affair Saturday afternoon from The Winthrop Ballpark in Rock Hill, SC.
The game was called in the seventh inning due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. to make up the second game that was scheduled to be played today.
Trailing 2-0 in the second, the Eagles responded with three runs to take a 3-2 lead.
Designated hitter Grant Neidenfeuhr started the inning off with a single, and advanced to third on a double by right fielder Daniel Carte. Neidenfeuhr then scored on a balk by La Salle starting pitcher Bryan Harvey to cut the Explorers’ lead to 2-1.
Third baseman David Scoggin walked before left fielder Mark Schmidt singled, driving in Carte, to tie the game at two.
Catcher Chris Leroux walked to load the bases before shortstop Matt Repec hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Scoggin to give the Eagles a 3-2 lead.
Winthrop scored three more in the third, while adding seven runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth inning. La Salle added a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings. Carte and Schmidt led the Eagles’ offense, each going four for four at the plate while driving in four runs a piece. They each homered for Winthrop, while Carte added a double on the day. Carte lacked just a triple in his bid to hit for the cycle.
"Mark (Schmidt) had a great day at the plate for us," said head coach Joe Hudak. "We’ve been using different guys in left field all season long. He’s been swinging the bat well in batting practice lately, and responded with a great game.
"Daniel Carte continued to swing the bat well. I think we’ve been swinging the bats well from the top to the bottom of our lineup."
Others with multiple hit games include Neidenfeuhr, Leroux and Kyle Roberson, while Bennett Stapf drove in two runs on the day.
Thomas Olejniczak (2-0) picked up the win, giving up just one earned run over three and one-third innings of work. He struck out five and walked two.
Harvey (0-1) took the loss for the Explorers, giving up 10 runs on 10 hits over four and one-third innings.
"Any win is a good win," said Hudak. "I’d rather take an ugly win rather than lose, any day of the week. I know we’ll be focused and ready to play again tomorrow."
