ROCK HILL, S.C. (Interstat) — Sam Dansky broke out of a prolonged slump with a pivotal two-run homer and four RBIs, and the Citadel Bulldogs survived a furious rally by the Winthrop Eagles to secure a 10-8 road victory Wednesday at Winthrop Ballpark.

The Bulldogs, who evened their season record at 16-16, built a commanding early lead only to see the Eagles chip away before a trio of Citadel relievers slammed the door over the final 2 2/3 innings. Winthrop fell to 22-11.

The most critical sequence of the game came in the top of the second inning, transforming a tight contest into a lopsided affair. Leading just 1-0, Citadel’s Hunt singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Christian Stratis. Dansky, the Bulldogs’ third baseman who had been hitless in his previous nine official at-bats, then launched a two-run homer to left-center field, igniting a six-run rally.

That inning unraveled quickly for Winthrop starter Tompkins. Following Dansky’s blast, Lively and Patel singled, and Lane Tobin drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt. After a walk and a stolen base, catcher Phillips Daniels cleared the bases with a two-run double down the right-field line, capping the outburst and giving Citadel a 7-0 advantage.

Winthrop began its methodical comeback in the fourth. Trailing 7-1, the Eagles strung together three hits, a walk, a hit batter and capitalized on a wild pitch to plate three runs, chasing Citadel starter Riley Ballard. Liam Foley entered with the bases loaded and one out, inducing an inning-ending groundout to limit the damage and preserve a 7-4 lead.

Citadel responded in the fifth. Stratis delivered an RBI single, and Dansky added a sacrifice bunt for another run, pushing the lead to 9-4. The Bulldogs tacked on a crucial insurance run in the sixth when Dansky worked a bases-loaded walk, making it 10-4.

The Eagles mounted their most serious threat in the seventh, sending 10 men to the plate. Crowley doubled and scored on an RBI single by Skowronski. After a walk loaded the bases, a wild pitch allowed another run to score. Norton’s RBI groundout brought Winthrop within two runs at 10-8 with two runners still in scoring position. Citadel turned to Andrew Buffkin, who got Ben to ground out to shortstop, stranding the tying runs.

Buffkin was instrumental in the victory, providing 2 2/3 innings of perfect relief, striking out one to earn the save. Foley, who recorded 1 1/3 scoreless innings after the fourth-inning jam, was credited with the win.

Dansky finished 1 for 3 with the home run and four RBIs, a welcome resurgence for the junior. Stratis went 2 for 3 with three RBIs, while Tobin was 2 for 2 with an RBI, reaching base four times after being hit by three pitches.

For Winthrop, Skowronski went 3 for 4 with two walks, two runs and an RBI. Ben drove in two runs. Eagles reliever Casey Culbreth provided a bright spot with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of work.

The game defied the pregame projections from Interstat, which gave Winthrop a 60.6% probability to win and projected a final score of 7-6 in its favor.

Citadel travels to face Wofford for a three-game series starting Friday. Winthrop opens a series at Presbyterian on Friday.