In Rock Hill, South Carolina, three Winthrop pitchers combined to shut out the Flames, 2-0, holding the visitors to six hits in the first game of a three-game series at The Winthrop Ballpark on Thursday night.

Junior right-hander Nate Pawelczyk threw the first four innings for Winthrop (24-27, 15-10 Big South) and allowed just one hit. Jason Crumley, Thursday’s winning pitcher, allowed four hits in four innings, while Dalton Whitaker earned the save for the Eagles.

Zach Clinton (6-4) was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs (both earned) and four hits in five innings.

Junior third baseman Tyler Galazin led Liberty at the plate, going 2 for 3. Liberty (27-24, 15-10) left nine runners on base.

Winthrop features two former Jefferson Forest pitchers in 6-foot-3 right-handed sophomore Zach Peek (3-2, 4.43 ERA) and left-handed freshman Cody Whitten (2-1, 4.23 ERA), who picked up a win May 8 at UNC Greensboro.

Liberty and Winthrop meet again tonight at 7 p.m. in what is the final series before the Big South Conference Tournament begins at Liberty Baseball Stadium on May 22.