Eagles Rally Behind 18 Hits, Beat LMU 14-12

HARROGATE, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Eagles pounded out a season-high 18 hits and erased an early 7-0 deficit to beat Lincoln Memorial University on the road on Friday afternoon, 14-12.

With the win, the Eagles improve to 19-25 overall and 14-11 in South Atlantic Conference play. LMU falls to 27-19 and 15-10 in league play.

C-N scored three runs in the ninth to overcome a 12-11 deficit late. The Eagles also scored five times in the fourth and three runs in the sixth to climb out of a 7-0 hole after two innings.

Eagle left fielder Jonathan Dalton (Rutledge, Tenn.) delivered a two-run single as part of a three run ninth as the Eagles rallied for the win.

Senior Wes Dozier (Cornelious, N.C.) tied the school record for runs scored in a single game with five, tying Julio Guzman's record set against Mars Hill College in 1997.

Dalton's hit, his second of the game, plated Lucas Mohon (Glasgow, Ky.) and Lance Rorex (Chattanooga, Tenn.) to put the Eagles on top 13-12. First baseman Morgan Gregory (Nashville, Tenn.) followed Dalton with an RBI single to score the game's final run.

Gregory's RBI single was his fifth hit of the day, one hit shy of the school record. He finished 5-of-6 with four RBIs. Dalton added a 2-for-6 day, but had a C-N season-high six RBIs.

Reliver Mike Mullen (Bradenton, Fla.) picked up the win for C-N to move to 2-0 on the year. He struck out two and allowed an earned run in 2.1 innings of work.

LMU jumped out to a big, early lead behind a seven-run second inning. The Railsplitters took advantage of two C-N errors and three walks in the inning.

LMU centerfielder Cody Pack had the lone extra-base hit in the inning, a two run double off of Eagle starter Austin Bridgewater (Morristown, Tenn.).

Reliverer Ryan Fillers (Greeneville, Tenn.) would come on two record the final two outs. He would strike out five, allowing six hits and four earned runs over 5.1 innings to help the Eagles extend the game.

C-N jumped on the board in the second behind an RBI double from Gregory. Evan Patterson (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Dozier both singled in the inning.

The Eagles would tie the game with a five-run fourth.

Centerfielder Cody Nix (Cartersville, Ga.) started the rally with a lead-off single, the first of five hits in the inning for the Eagles. Mohon would add an RBI single and Gregory a two-run single back up the middle, the big blow in the inning, to tie the game at 7-7.

The Eagles would turn to the long ball for their next four runs.

Dalton delivered the game's biggest blow with a three-run homerun in the sixth to give the Eagles a 10-8 lead at the time. The senior's 11^th homer of the season plated Mohon, who reached on a single to lead off the inning, and Dozier, who walked.

Dozier would tie the game at 11-11 with a solo home run to lead off the eighth. The blast was his second in as many games. He finished the game 2-for 3 with five runs scored, three walks, and two RBIs.

Mohon went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Patterson added a 2-for-2 day with a run scored.

The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow at Hennon Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.