PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland - Sophomore Marty Tolson, Jr. (Stafford, Virginia) enjoyed a solid start to the 2018 season, going 4 1/3 innings before leaving the game in a 1-1 tie. But the Winthrop Eagles struck for four runs against the Hawks' bullpen to win Saturday's (Feb. 24) contest, 5-1.

The Eagles improve to 2-5 on the season while the Hawks fall to 0-2.

The Shore gained the lead in the second inning thanks to a two out double by junior Joey Nicastro (New Market, Maryland), scoring freshman Avery Tunnell (Dover, Delaware). Nicastro registered two hits for the second straight day.

Tolson held Winthrop off the board in each of the first four innings, bolstered by four strikeouts. In the fifth, a leadoff single by the Eagles set up a rally. After a sacrifice, another single by Brandon Fite knotted the score. The next inning, Matthew Mulkey blasted his second home run in as many days to put the Eagles on top 4-1.

Winthrop's bullpen beared down from there, retiring 10 straight Hawks until junior Ryan Rotondo (Warwick, Rhode Island) tripled in the ninth. The Eagles' pitching proved challenging, allowing six baserunners to the Hawks for the entire game.

Another top performer for the Hawks was senior pitcher Christian Rose (Martinsburg, West Virginia). Rose delivered a scoreless inning in relief, striking out two.

Maryland Eastern Shore will look to salvage the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 25).