June 4, 2006

CHAPEL HILL --- Winthrop University rallied from behind three different times, including a three-run rally in the ninth inning, and Heath Rollins pitched out of a two-on, no-out jam in the bottom of the ninth, to defeat UNC Wilmington, 5-3, in an elimination round game Sunday at the NCAA Baseball Chapel Hill Regional. The win sends Winthrop to Sunday's second game against North Carolina. The Eagles (46-17) must beat the top-seeded Tar Heels Sunday (game time 5:15 p.m.) to force a final game on Monday (1 p.m. if necessary). The winner advances to next week's Super Regional.

UNC Wilmington finishes its season at 42-22.

The third-seeded Seahawks led No. 2 Winthrop, 3-2, entering the ninth inning. Jake Shaffer and Chris Carrara opened the inning with singles and advanced to second and third on an infield out. Matt Repec tied the game at 3-3 with a single to center, then Phil Carey gave the Eagles their first lead of the day with an infield hit over the pitcher's mound. Winthrop added an insurance run on a ground out to second by Ben Ehrlich.

UNC Wilmington's Chris Hatcher struck out to open the bottom of the ninth, but the breaking ball bounced away for a wild pitch and Hatcher reached first. Hatcher went to third on a double by Jason Appel. Winthrop reliever Heath Rollins, who started and was the winner Friday against UNC Wilmington, struck out Matt Poulk, and got John Raynor to pop out to second and Daniel Hargrave to ground to second to end the game.

Rollins (13-4) gave up three hits and struck out four in two innings of relief. Adam Paul (7-3) got tagged with the loss as he allowed four hits and three runs in an inning and two-thirds. Eagle freshman Jason Franzblau started and pitched six and a third innings, allowing five hits and two runs.

Second baseman Chris Carrara was 3 for 3 for Winthrop, which got runs batted in from five different players. The Eagles did not get a base hit until the fifth inning and were out-hit, nine to eight.

Appel led the Seahawks with three hits, two of which were doubles, and an RBI. Both teams left 11 runners on base.

UNCW took a 1-0 lead in the second on an infield ground out by Michael Marbry. Yesterday, the two teams allowed a combined 33 runs, but the game stayed 1-0 until the seventh when Winthrop tied it on a ground out to second by Jake Shaffer.

Appel gave the Seahawks a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI double, but the Eagles tied it again in the next half inning on a sacrifice fly by Alan Robbins.

UNC Wilmington had a runner picked off second with two men on and none out in the seventh and failed to successfully get a bunt down in the eighth.

Jonathan Batts opened the UNCW eighth inning with a single, but was forced out at second on a bunt attempt by Evans. McLean then dropped a double just inside the left field line and Evans scored all the way from first base for a 3-2 lead.