ROCK HILL, South Carolina -- Despite a late comeback attempt, the Maryland Eastern Shore baseball dropped the season opener to the Winthrop Eagles, 8-3, on Friday (Feb. 23).

Freshman Avery Tunnell (Dover, Delaware) enjoyed a fantastic collegiate debut, going 2-for-3 on the day and scoring the Hawks' first run of the season. Junior Joey Nicastro (New Market, Maryland) also contributed a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4.

Senior Toby Hoskins (North East, Maryland) took the loss in his first opening day start, surrendering four runs over four innings while striking out four. Sophomore Caleb Walston (Princess Anne, Maryland) pitched an inning of scoreless relief.

Winthrop stormed out of the gate with a leadoff home run from Matthew Mulkey. The Eagles then used a leadoff triple to spark a four run third, capped off with another homer courtesy of Hunter Lipscomb.

The Shore cracked the board in the sixth with an RBI groundout by senior Tyler Friis (Appleton, Wisconsin) to score Tunnell. Two more runs came across in the ninth thanks to RBI singles by senior Isaiah Chambers (Bowie, Maryland) and freshman Gabe Simpson (Snow Hill, Maryland).

Senior Evan Bertone (Douglas, Massachusetts) is scheduled to be on the bump Saturday (Feb. 24). A 3 p.m. first pitch is scheduled.