Two baseball players charged with consumption of alcohol underage

By Claire Byun

One Winthrop baseball player was arrested and one ticketed early this morning on charges of underage drinking.

An officer observed Patrick Gamblin, sophomore pitcher and outfielder, throw a clear bottle on the ground while in the Legion parking lot, according to a police report.

The officer approached Gamblin and asked why he had thrown the bottle. He said his roommate, Austen Barber, sophomore catcher, had danced with his girlfriend at the bar which upset him, the police report said.

The officer noticed Gamblin had trouble standing still and answering questions, police said.  After checking both students' IDs, the officer found that both were 19-years-old.

Police said Gamblin admitted to have been drinking but Barber said he had not had any alcohol. 

The report states Barber had tobacco in his mouth, causing the test to be delayed for 20 minutes. After the waiting period, the officer once again asked Barber if he had alcohol and Barber again replied he hadn’t, the report said.

The test showed there was alcohol in Barber’s system, and when asked why he had lied to the officer he replied “I don’t know," police said.

During a search of Barber’s belongings, police found two IDs belonging to other people, according to the police report.

The IDs had Barber’s picture on them, and labeled him as 21 years old, police said.

Barber was arrested and charged with possession of another’s ID along with consumption of alcohol under 21, the report said.

Police said Gamblin was issued a citation for consumption of alcohol under 21 and released.

Not only will these students face normal university penalties, but the athletic department will take disciplinary measures as well, said Tom Hickman, director of athletics.

“Pending further investigation, athletic department penalties will consist of at least some type of suspension(s),” Hickman said.

The Johnsonian emailed both Barber and Gamblin for comment but they did not respond.