ROCK HILL, S.C. (Interstat) — Jaylen Hernandez drove in four runs, including a decisive three-run homer, to power the Winthrop Eagles to a 7-4 victory over the Maine Black Bears in nonconference baseball action Friday afternoon and evening at Winthrop Ballpark.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived in the bottom of the third inning. Trailing 4-0, the Eagles’ offense erupted against Maine starter Gianni Gambradella. After a leadoff flyout, Chazz Grossington struck out, but Leo Natividad sparked the rally with a double down the left field line. Josh Skowronski followed with an RBI double to shallow right, plating Natividad. After a walk to Ryan Benhardt, Tyler Norton singled to left, scoring Skowronski to cut the deficit to 4-2.

That brought Hernandez, the designated hitter, to the plate. On a 1-1 offering from Gambradella, Hernandez launched a towering drive to deep right field for a three-run homer, instantly transforming the four-run deficit into a 5-4 Winthrop lead. The blast was the centerpiece of a five-run frame and gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish.

Hernandez finished the day 3 for 4, adding an RBI double in the seventh inning that provided a critical insurance run, scoring Benhardt who had walked and stolen second. Hernandez’s performance continued a torrid stretch; he has now homered in consecutive games against Maine.

Winthrop starter Brayden GIlley earned the win despite allowing all four Maine runs over 5 1/3 innings. He surrendered six hits, struck out four and walked one. The Eagles’ bullpen was dominant, combining for 3 2/3 innings of one-hit, shutout relief. Harrison Wilson was particularly sharp, striking out three in three perfect innings to close the game and record the save.

Walker Brodt recorded the final two outs of the sixth inning in relief of GIlley, stranding a runner.

Maine had built its early lead off GIlley in a explosive top of the sixth. Trailing 5-0, the Black Bears strung together four consecutive extra-base hits. Jack Stevens doubled, Albert De La Rosa followed with an RBI double, and Anthony Denis added another RBI double. Third baseman Troy Carpenter then capped the outburst with a two-run homer to deep left field, tying the game at 5.

The rally was immediately stifled, however, as Brodt entered and, after allowing a single, oversaw an inning-ending double play when Ian Murphy struck out looking and the trailing runner was caught stealing.

Winthrop answered right back in the bottom half of the sixth when Grossington led off with a solo homer to left, restoring the lead at 6-5. Hernandez’s seventh-inning double made it 7-5, and Wilson sealed the win with three flawless innings.

Gambradella took the loss for Maine, charged with six earned runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five but was undone by the five-run third. Pierce Friedman provided 2 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief for the Black Bears.

Maine managed seven hits but grounded into two double plays, hampering potential rallies. De La Rosa and Carpenter each had two RBIs for the Black Bears.

With the win, Winthrop improved to 7-2 overall, while Maine fell to 2-8. The Eagles’ victory exceeded the projection of Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 6-2 Winthrop win. The teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series Saturday.

Key Performances: Winthrop: DH Jaylen Hernandez (3-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI); P Harrison Wilson (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K, Save); SS Chazz Grossington (2-4, HR, 2B, RBI); RF Josh Skowronski (2-3, 2B, RBI). Maine: 3B Troy Carpenter (1-4, HR, 2 RBI); P Pierce Friedman (2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K); SS Albert De La Rosa (2-3, 2B, RBI).