JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry University Baseball Team (1-7, 0-2 SAC) got its South Atlantic Conference schedule underway Friday afternoon as the Wasps dropped both games of a road doubleheader to Carson-Newman University (9-0, 2-0 SAC). The Eagles took game one 7-0, before topping the Wasps by a 6-1 margin in the nightcap.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Carson-Newman 7, Emory & Henry 0
GAME TWO – Carson-Newman 6, Emory & Henry 1 (Seven Innings)
LOCATION – Jefferson City, Tennessee
VENUE – Silver Diamond Baseball Complex
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-7, 0-2 SAC); Carson-Newman (9-0, 2-0 SAC)
Game One - Carson-Newman 7, Emory & Henry 0
Both teams were held off of the scoreboard over the opening two innings of play, but the Eagles struck first in the bottom of the third. Trey Miller was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, then stole second and third base to put himself in scoring position. Ryan Jenkins delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Miller and put the home team up 1-0.
Starting pitcher Ryan Higgins continued to deal for the Eagles as he was perfect through his first six innings on the mound. The Wasps reached base for the first time in the top of the seventh when fifth-year outfielder Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) drew a walk and senior second baseman Steven Smith (Salisbury, N.C.) was hit by a pitch, but E&H could not convert and the score remained 1-0 in favor of Carson-Newman. The Eagles broke things open in the home half of the eighth inning as they tallied six runs on six hits to run the score out to 7-0. Freshman shortstop Jaret Hoppes (Taylorsville, N.C.) broke up the no-hit bid in the top of the ninth as he ripped a single into the outfield on the first pitch he saw to leadoff the inning. It was not enough however, as the Eagles took the 7-0 win in game one of the doubleheader.
Higgins earned the win for C-N as he threw seven shutout innings, only allowing a pair of base runners while striking out six batters. Jackson Underwood picked up the save as he threw a pair of scoreless innings in relief while giving up just one hit and fanning a pair. Junior pitcher Jacob Nester (Hillsville, Va.) took the loss for the Wasps despite a strong outing on the mound. Nester scattered five runs on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts over 7.2 innings of work.
Game Two - Carson-Newman 6, Emory & Henry 1 (Seven Innings)
The Eagles were first on the scoreboard in game two of the doubleheader as they scored two runs on three hits to take the early 2-0 lead. Emory & Henry got a run back in the bottom of the frame. Senior first baseman Jacob Bebber (Taylorsville, N.C.) led off with a double down the line in left, then moved up to third on a groundout. Bebber crossed home on a wild pitch and the score stood at 2-1.
Carson-Newman added two more runs in the home half of the third on a triple, wild pitch and solo home run to push their advantage out to 4-1. The Eagles would go on to tack on two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as they earned the 6-1 victory.
Kolton Casson was the winning pitcher for C-N as he scattered just one run on three hits while striking out seven E&H batters over six innings. Sophomore lefty Drew Lanzo (Indian Trail, N.C.) took the loss for Emory & Henry after surrendering four runs and six hits with one strikeout over 2.2 innings. Foley, Bebber and fifth-year designated hitter Caeden Howell (Roaring River, N.C.) each had one hit in the loss for the Wasps.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will complete the three-game series against Carson-Newman on Sunday, February 16 with a single nine-inning contest. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Jefferson City.
--E&H--