The Winthrop University baseball team clinched a close 4-3 victory over USC Upstate on April 18 at Founders Field, marking their first series win against the Spartans since 2021.
This result is significant for the Eagles, who improved their record to 26-13 overall and 9-2 in Big South play. The win demonstrates progress for the team as they continue through their conference schedule.
USC Upstate took an early lead with Johnny Sweeney’s home run in the second inning. Jaylen Hernandez responded for Winthrop with a home run of his own in the fourth, tying the game at one. The Eagles then moved ahead in the fifth when Zach Greenberg singled and later scored on Corey Wouters’ hit. In the sixth inning, Hernandez singled and Greenberg added a sacrifice fly, followed by Grant McGuire’s RBI single to extend Winthrop’s lead to 4-1.
USC Upstate narrowed the gap with Tyler Lang’s RBI double in the seventh and another run scored on a throwing error in the eighth inning, bringing it to 4-3. However, Winthrop maintained its lead through strong pitching performances from Luke Earnhardt—who earned his second win of the season—and Ben Rehkow, who recorded his third save.
Hernandez has now posted at least two hits in two consecutive games and leads the Big South Conference with thirteen home runs this season. The teams will meet again tomorrow at Founders Field.
