ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Winthrop Eagles scored a combined 10 runs over their final two at-bats to defeat the North Carolina A&T in Big South Conference softball action on Saturday, 17-10 at Terry Field.
It was the conference opener for both teams while the Aggies played in their first-ever Big South competition.
Winthrop (7-14, 1-0 Big South) used a five-run second inning fueled by a two-run home run from Bailey Warren to take an early 5-0 lead.
A&T (9-11, 0-1 Big South) cut into that lead in the visitor's third. The fun started with a two-out walk to freshman Dezianna Patmon. Patmon then stole second and scored on an error that allowed freshman Icess Tresvik to reach. Tresvik eventually scored on a two-run blast off freshman Jailyn Tineo's bat to put the Aggies down two, 5-3.
The Eagles took a 7-3 lead after scoring two in the home third before the Aggies responded in a big way in the fourth using the longball.
Freshman Mariah Headen started the scoring by recording her first career home run, a two-run shot to left field to drive home sophomore Kayla Taylor, who reached on a one-out walk.
A Jazzmaine Hammond walk and a single by sophomore Kendall Macauley set up the next launch as Patmon sent one out of the park to left field to give the Aggies an 8-7 lead.
It was Patmon's fourth home run of the season, and minutes later, Tresvik hit her seventh homer, a solo shot to left to give the Aggies a 9-7 lead into the home fourth.
A&T held Winthrop scoreless despite the Eagles leaving two on base. The Aggies left one on in the visitor's fifth as they maintained their 9-7 lead before Winthrop putting together big fifth and sixth innings offensively.
Winthrop posted a four-run fifth thanks in big part to a three-run RBI double by Ella McGalliard to give the Eagles an 11-9 lead.
A&T scored a run in the sixth inning after sophomore Alyxx Estrada singled up the middle to drive home Tresvik, who reached by walking on six pitches to cut the lead to 11-10.
But the Eagles scored six in the sixth, aided by a solo home run from Kaitlyn Tucker and a two-run RBI double by McKenzie Smith. The Aggies assisted the Eagles in the inning with two errors as five of the six runs scored were unearned.
In the final opportunity for the Aggies, Macauley reached on an error with two outs. Patmon followed with a single through the right side to advance Macauley to second base. However, Tresvik struck out to end the game.
Tineo went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. Patmon batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Estrada went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Freshman Joey Barkhimer pitched the first 1.2 innings giving up five unearned runs on three hits. Tresvik (1-2) picked up the loss pitching the final three innings giving up 10 runs, with five earned.
