Winthrop University defeated Radford University 10-9 in a 14-inning game on March 13, with Gabe Natividad delivering a walk-off single at Founders Field to open Big South Conference play.
The victory marks Winthrop’s first extra-innings win since 2023 and improves their record to 12-6, while Radford falls to 8-8. The game was notable for its length, lasting four hours and forty-four minutes, and for the dramatic swings in momentum throughout the contest.
Winthrop took an early lead by scoring twice in the second inning with back-to-back hit-by-pitch RBIs from Natividad and Hernandez. Cade Norton tripled in the third and scored on a Grant McGuire single to make it 3-0. Radford responded with a two-run homer by Breckin Nace in the fourth but trailed as Winthrop extended its lead through the middle innings. Starting pitcher Gilley allowed only two runs on four hits over eight innings with six strikeouts before Radford rallied for six runs in the ninth to take an 8-6 lead.
Winthrop tied the game in the bottom of the ninth after Benhardt laid down an RBI bunt and Norton hit a double off the wall that nearly cleared for a home run. In extra innings, Radford regained the lead in the twelfth on an Eli Hudgins bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, but Natividad again delivered with a two-out RBI single to tie it. Reliever Brodt pitched two scoreless innings to keep Winthrop alive before McGuire and Alfonso Rivera walked to start the fourteenth, Grossington drew a bases-loaded walk, and Natividad ended it with his second clutch hit of the day.
Norton finished 4-for-7 with two doubles and a triple, falling just short of hitting for the cycle. McNeely contributed by striking out four over more than two scoreless innings after Winthrop’s ninth-inning collapse.
The Eagles will look to take the series against Radford when they return to action at Founders Field at 2:00 p.m.
