SHELBY, N.C. (Interstat) — Winthrop scored five runs in the first inning and held on for a 9-7 victory over Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon at John Henry Moss Stadium in a Big South Conference game.

The Eagles improved to 28-15 overall and 13-4 in league play, while the Runnin Bulldogs fell to 19-24 and 4-10.

Winthrop’s offense erupted immediately against Gardner-Webb starter Austin Hausner. Hernandez walked, Wouters singled and Skowronski reached on a fielder’s choice that saw a throwing error by shortstop Ryan Kennell, loading the bases. Benhardt singled to drive in Hernandez, and Grossington doubled down the left‑field line to clear the bases, scoring Skowronski and Wouters. Crowley then grounded out to the pitcher, plating Benhardt, and Greenberg singled up the middle to bring home Grossington. By the time the inning ended, Winthrop held a 5-0 lead.

The Runnin Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the first. Merik Carter singled, moved to second on a groundout and scored on Kelvin Agosto’s double to right center.

Winthrop extended its lead in the third. Benhardt singled, and after a fielder’s choice, Crowley homered to right field, scoring Grossington and making it 7-1. The Eagles added a run in the sixth when Wouters scored on Benhardt’s sacrifice fly.

Trailing 8-1, Gardner-Webb began to rally in the sixth. Daniel Smith, who entered as a pinch runner, helped load the bases. Carter singled to center field, driving in two runs to cut the deficit to 8-3.

The Runnin Bulldogs kept coming in the seventh. Matt Ilgenfritz doubled, and Drew Ripepi doubled to right center, plating two runs. Smith followed with an RBI single, and Carter added a sacrifice fly, pulling Gardner-Webb to within 8-7.

Winthrop answered in the top of the eighth. Benhardt singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice by Greenberg to give the Eagles a 9-7 lead.

The most important stretch of the game proved to be Winthrop’s five-run first inning. That early explosion gave the Eagles a cushion they would need, as Gardner-Webb’s bullpen held Winthrop scoreless over the final five innings but could not overcome the initial deficit. Winthrop’s pitching managed to strand the tying run in the ninth.

For Gardner-Webb, Merik Carter went 2 for 5 with three RBIs. Kelvin Agosto was 2 for 5 with an RBI, and Drew Ripepi drove in two runs. Jerek Hobb pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief, allowing three hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts. Colby Putnam tossed 1 2/3 hitless innings with no walks and no runs allowed.

Winthrop’s victory avenged a 3-0 loss in the series opener Friday. The teams conclude the three‑game set Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Winthrop 5, Gardner-Webb 3. Interstat’s ELO system gave Winthrop a 59.50 percent probability to win.