Winthrop Defeats Michigan State on Tuesday Night, 5-2

Winthrop Defeats Michigan State on Tuesday Night, 5-2

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By Winthrop Athletics

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Josh Skowronski belted a game-tying two-run homer in the sixth inning and Winthrop's bullpen combined for eight innings of one-hit ball as the Eagles knocked off Big Ten foe Michigan State, 5-2, Tuesday evening at Fluor Field to extend its winning streak to eight games.

HOW IT HAPPENED 
  • Michigan State struck first in the bottom of the first as Ryan McKay and Nick Williams hit back-to-back singles before a Noah Bright HBP loaded the bases and a wild pitch allowed McKay to score for a 1-0 lead 
  • The Spartans added another in the second when Dayton Murphy doubled down the right field line, Trent Rice bunted him to third and Randy Seymour drove him in with an RBI groundout to make it 2-0 
  • Garrett Byrd replaced Mason Tompkins in the second and slammed the door, retiring 11 of 12 batters faced and allowing zero hits over four scoreless innings 
  • Michigan State starter Kyle Rudolph kept the Eagles in check through five innings, scattering just two hits and four walks while striking out four 
  • Natividad singled through the left side to lead off the sixth against reliever JD Greeley and Skowronski jumped on a 2-1 pitch, launching a two-run homer to right field to tie the game at 2-2 
  • Colby McNeely took over in the seventh and struck out three over three scoreless frames to keep the game knotted 
  • Winthrop seized the lead in the eighth when Natividad walked and Skowronski singled to left center to put runners at the corners before Benhardt lifted a sacrifice fly to left to make it 3-2 
  • Norton singled and stole second before Ethan Wilson worked an RBI walk to push the lead to 4-2 
  • The Eagles added an insurance run in the ninth as Natividad walked for the second straight at-bat and stole second before Skowronski walked and Benhardt drove an RBI single to left for a 5-2 cushion 
  • Walker Brodt entered in the ninth and stranded two runners, getting a groundout to third base to seal the victory and earn the save 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 
  • Winthrop's bullpen of Byrd, McNeely and Brodt combined for eight innings, allowing just one hit with eight strikeouts 
  • Byrd was the bridge with four hitless innings while McNeely earned his second win with three more shutout frames 
  • Natividad reached base in all five plate appearances, scoring three times and stealing a base 
  • Skowronski continued his torrid stretch, reaching base four times with a homer, single and two walks 
  • The Eagles have won eight straight and are 10-2 on the season 
ON DECK
The Eagles head to Auburn, taking on the No. 7-ranked Tigers in a three-game weekend series