ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Winthrop used a decisive four-run eighth inning to break a tie and defeat UNC Asheville 10-6 on Saturday at Greenwood Baseball Field, earning its second straight win over the Bulldogs in a Big South Conference series.

The Eagles improved to 30-17 overall and 17-30 in the Big South, while the Bulldogs fell to 17-30 overall and 17-30 in conference play.

Winthrop struck first with a four-run second inning. After a hit-by-pitch and two singles loaded the bases, Colin Crowley cleared them with a two-run double to right-center. A sacrifice fly from Jonathan Natividad and a run-scoring double from Josh Skowronski extended the lead to 4-0. Winthrop added no more until the sixth.

UNC Asheville answered in the fourth. With two outs, Owen Michelson crushed a two-run homer to left-center, scoring B. Johnson who had walked. The Bulldogs then took the lead in the fifth. After consecutive singles and a sacrifice bunt, P. Gillen singled and Johnson doubled to right, driving in two runs. J. Minarik’s single plated Johnson, making it 5-4.

Winthrop tied the game in the sixth when Cade Norton led off with a solo home run to left. The Bulldogs regained the lead in the bottom half on an RBI single by Gillen.

The contest remained 6-5 until the eighth. Crowley led off with a double. After a fielder’s choice, Hernandez singled to right, scoring Crowley. A groundout moved runners, then Cornelius Wouters delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Natividad. Alan Benhardt followed with an RBI double, and Chazz Grossington capped the rally with a run-scoring single.

Winthrop’s bullpen held the lead. Starter Luke Earnhardt went 4.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts. Walker Brodt pitched two innings, surrendering one earned run on two hits while striking out two. Ben Rehkow earned the win with a dominant relief outing, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out three.

Offensively, the Eagles collected 15 hits. Crowley went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Norton was 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Wouters was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Grossington added two hits. Winthrop executed three sacrifice flies.

UNC Asheville managed 12 hits. Michelson finished 1-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Johnson had a double and two RBIs. Gillen recorded two hits and an RBI.

The game featured multiple lead changes and a late surge from Winthrop. The Eagles scored in four separate innings, while the Bulldogs plated runs in three frames. Winthrop pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.

The two teams conclude the series Sunday at Greenwood Baseball Field.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Winthrop 5, UNC Asheville 4, and the Interstat ELO system gave Winthrop a 70.10 percent probability to win.